WO2012141097A1 - Backlight unit, and liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Backlight unit, and liquid crystal display device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012141097A1
WO2012141097A1 PCT/JP2012/059516 JP2012059516W WO2012141097A1 WO 2012141097 A1 WO2012141097 A1 WO 2012141097A1 JP 2012059516 W JP2012059516 W JP 2012059516W WO 2012141097 A1 WO2012141097 A1 WO 2012141097A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
light guide
guide member
backlight unit
led
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2012/059516
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
和樹 大福
Original Assignee
シャープ株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by シャープ株式会社 filed Critical シャープ株式会社
Publication of WO2012141097A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012141097A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0075—Arrangements of multiple light guides
    • G02B6/0078—Side-by-side arrangements, e.g. for large area displays
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
    • G09G3/34—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
    • G09G3/34—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source
    • G09G3/3406—Control of illumination source
    • G09G3/342—Control of illumination source using several illumination sources separately controlled corresponding to different display panel areas, e.g. along one dimension such as lines

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an edge light type backlight unit that emits part of planar light having different luminance, and relates to a liquid crystal display device including the backlight unit.
  • liquid crystal display devices are often used as display devices.
  • the liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel unit and a backlight unit disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel unit, and the liquid crystal panel unit transmits the degree of transmittance (transmittance) of planar light from the backlight unit. ) For each pixel, and an image is displayed in the image display area in front of the liquid crystal panel unit.
  • a light guide plate method (edge light method) that includes a light guide plate and receives light from the light receiving surface on the side surface of the light guide plate
  • the other is a direct type method in which a light source is arranged on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel unit. is there.
  • an edge light type backlight unit that is effective for thinning is often used (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-160035).
  • a light emitting diode In the backlight unit, a light emitting diode (LED) is often used for the light source unit.
  • the LED itself is smaller and has a longer life than a fluorescent lamp (such as a cold-cathode tube) that has been conventionally used, and the drive circuit can be simplified, and the backlight unit can be further reduced in size and thickness. It becomes.
  • the edge light type backlight unit it is preferable to make the light as uniform as possible on the light receiving surface formed on the side surface of the light guide plate, and when using an LED that is a point light source, a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a straight line, A light source unit that turns on the plurality of LEDs uniformly and simultaneously is used.
  • the light receiving surface of the light guide plate is devised so as to be easily diffused, or the shape of the light guide plate is devised to diffuse the light from the LED within the light guide plate and be emitted from the light guide plate. (See Japanese Patent No. 3770558).
  • FIG. 10 is a layout view showing a backlight unit of a conventional liquid crystal display device.
  • the backlight unit 91 includes a light guide plate 92 and a light source unit 93 in which a plurality of LEDs 31 are linearly arranged.
  • the light emission of the light source unit 93 is controlled by the LED drive circuit 94.
  • the light source unit 93 has a plurality of LEDs 31 arranged in a straight line.
  • the light source unit 93 has a configuration in which a plurality of LEDs 31 are divided into LED blocks 931 to 935 every predetermined number (eight in this case). Inside the LED blocks 931 to 935, the LEDs 31 are connected in series, and the LED blocks 931 to 935 are connected in parallel.
  • the LED blocks 931 to 935 are connected to the LED drive circuit 94 in parallel.
  • the LED drive circuit 94 supplies the same current to the LED blocks 931 to 935, and the LED blocks 931 to 935 emit light with the same luminance. That is, the backlight unit 91 is configured to emit uniform planar light.
  • the observer (operator) is alerted when there is a predetermined input, or the performance is enhanced when a predetermined condition is satisfied. is there.
  • the liquid crystal display device an image with display contents that can be easily recognized by an observer is displayed, or an image is switched and displayed, thereby raising attention or enhancing the performance.
  • the liquid crystal display device cannot display a new image or cannot switch the image. It is difficult to call attention or improve performance.
  • the present invention is an edge light type backlight unit using an LED as a light source, and a backlight unit capable of clearly expressing a boundary portion where the luminance changes when adjusting the luminance of a part of the planar light, and
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device using the backlight unit.
  • the present invention provides a light source unit in which a plurality of LEDs are linearly arranged, a light guide plate that receives light from the light source unit on a light receiving surface, and emits the light from the light emitting surface as planar light.
  • the light guide plate includes a plurality of light guide members arranged side by side in the same direction as the LED arrangement direction.
  • the light guide plate is divided into a plurality of light guide members, it is difficult to receive interference from the light of the adjacent light guide member.
  • planar light with different luminance is emitted from the plurality of light guide members, it is possible to clarify the boundary where the luminance is different.
  • it is possible to enhance the effect of effect display such as highlight display in which the luminance of a part of the display image is higher than that of the other part and flash display in which a part of the luminance is changed.
  • the light source is divided into LED blocks for a certain number of LEDs, and the plurality of light guide members are formed such that each light receiving surface faces at least one LED block. It may be.
  • this configuration it is possible to accurately adjust the luminance of the light incident on the light guide member.
  • the said structure WHEREIN The said light guide member may have the reflection part formed in the side surface which faces an arrangement direction, and the said reflection part opposes the light guide member adjacent to the light guide member arrange
  • the light guide member may be formed with a light absorption part that absorbs light on a side surface facing the arrangement direction, and the light guide member adjacent to the light guide member disposed adjacent to the light absorption part. You may form in the side surface facing an optical member. Similar to the reflection part, it is possible to suppress the leakage of light from the side surface and enhance the effect.
  • a partition member may be disposed between the light guide members arranged adjacent to each other.
  • the partition member may be formed integrally with a case that is an exterior of the backlight unit.
  • the partition member may include a reflection portion that reflects light leaking from the side surface of the light guide member.
  • the partition member may include a light absorbing portion that absorbs light leaked from a side surface of the light guide member.
  • a liquid crystal display device can be exemplified.
  • an edge light type backlight unit using an LED as a light source and a backlight unit capable of clearly expressing a boundary portion where the luminance changes when adjusting the luminance of a part of the planar light, and A liquid crystal display device using this backlight unit can be provided.
  • FIG. 1 It is a block diagram which shows each part of the backlight unit shown in FIG. It is a figure of the display image in a liquid crystal display device provided with the backlight unit shown in FIG. It is a figure of the display image in a liquid crystal display device provided with the backlight unit shown in FIG. It is a layout view showing a backlight unit of a conventional liquid crystal display device.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a liquid crystal display device provided with a backlight unit according to the present invention.
  • the liquid crystal display device A includes a backlight unit 1 and a liquid crystal panel unit 5, and the liquid crystal panel unit 5 is disposed on the front side (observer side) of the backlight unit 1.
  • the backlight unit 1 is an illumination device that irradiates the liquid crystal panel unit 5 with planar light.
  • the backlight unit 1 includes a flat light guide plate 2, a light source unit 3 that irradiates light toward a light receiving surface 22 formed on a side surface of the light guide plate 2, and a diffusion unit disposed in the vicinity of the light guide plate 2.
  • an optical sheet group 4 including a sheet, a prism sheet, and the like.
  • the backlight unit 1 includes a case 10, and at least the light guide plate 2 and the light source unit 3 are disposed inside the case.
  • the light guide plate 2 is formed by forming a transparent resin such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate into a flat plate shape. In addition, it is not limited to these resin, The thing which can be formed in a transparent flat plate shape can be employ
  • the light guide plate 2 is formed by arranging a first light guide member 201, a second light guide member 202, and a third light guide member 203, which are flat members of the same size and shape.
  • the first light guide member 201 and the third light guide member 203 are in contact with the second light guide member 202 around the second light guide member 202.
  • the first light guide member 201 and the second light guide member 202, and the second light guide member 202 and the third light guide member 203 may be bonded.
  • the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 have light exit surfaces 211, 212, and 213 that emit planar light, and light receiving surfaces that receive light from the light source unit 3, respectively. 221, 222, and 223.
  • the light guide plate 2 includes a light exit surface 21 in which the light exit surfaces 211, 212, and 213 are formed side by side, and a light receiving surface 22 in which the light receiving surfaces 221, 222, and 223 are formed side by side.
  • the light source unit 3 is disposed to face the light receiving surface 22.
  • the light source unit 3 includes a long substrate 30 disposed to face the light receiving surface 22 and a plurality of LEDs 31 (36 in this case) arranged linearly on the substrate 30.
  • the LEDs 31 are arranged at equal intervals, but may be an arrangement in which the intervals are partially changed.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a wiring state of the light source.
  • the light source unit 3 is divided into three LED blocks 321 to 323 composed of a predetermined number (here, 12) of LEDs 31.
  • the number of LEDs constituting one block is not limited to twelve, and the number of LED blocks is not limited to three.
  • each of the LED blocks 321 to 323 has 12 LEDs 31 connected in series.
  • the light source unit 3 shown in FIG. 2 has a configuration in which the anode sides of the LED blocks 321 to 323 are connected to a common wiring AN, and the cathode side is connected to independent cathode wirings K1 to K3.
  • the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and a configuration that can individually supply current to each of the LED blocks 321 to 323 can be widely employed.
  • the cathode side may be configured to be a common wiring, and both the anode side and the cathode side may be connected to independent wirings.
  • the anode wiring AN and the cathode wirings K1 to K3 are connected to an LED drive circuit 7 described later.
  • the LED 31 is a light emitting element whose luminance changes depending on the magnitude of current. Since the plurality of LEDs 31 in the LED blocks 321 to 323 are electrically connected in series, a current having the same current value is supplied and light is emitted with the same luminance. In addition, although mentioned later for details, the electric current supplied to LED31 is controlled by the pulse width modulation system (henceforth a PWM control).
  • light emitted from the LED block 321 enters from the light receiving surface 221 of the first light guide member 201, is repeatedly reflected in the first light guide member 201, and exits the light output surface 211. It is emitted as planar light with more uniform brightness.
  • light emitted from the LED block 322 enters from the light receiving surface 222 of the second light guide member 202 and is emitted from the light exit surface 212 as planar light.
  • planar light has a rectangular shape based on the shape of the light exit surfaces 211, 212, and 213. Since the light exit surfaces 211, 212, and 213 are arranged side by side, the surface light emitted from the light guide plate 2 is a combination of the surface lights emitted from the light exit surfaces 211, 212, and 213 side by side.
  • the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 are divided, so that the first light guide member 201, The light received by the second light guide member 202 and the third light guide member 203 is repeatedly reflected inside the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202 and the third light guide member 203, and the light exit surfaces 211 and 212. 213. For this reason, the light incident on the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 is less likely to enter the adjacent light guide member.
  • the liquid crystal panel unit 5 includes a liquid crystal panel 51 in which liquid crystal is sealed, and a polarizing plate 52 attached to the front surface (observer side) and the back surface (backlight unit 1 side) of the liquid crystal panel 51.
  • the liquid crystal panel 51 includes an array substrate, a counter substrate disposed to face the array substrate, and liquid crystal filled between the array substrate and the counter substrate.
  • the array substrate is provided with a source wiring and a gate wiring orthogonal to each other, a switching element (for example, a thin film transistor) connected to the source wiring and the gate wiring, a pixel electrode connected to the switching element, an alignment film, and the like.
  • the counter substrate is provided with a color filter in which colored portions of red, green, and blue (RGB) are arranged in a predetermined arrangement, a common electrode, an alignment film, and the like.
  • a voltage is applied between the array substrate and the counter substrate in each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 51 by driving the switching elements of the array substrate with a drive signal.
  • the degree of light transmission in each pixel is changed.
  • an image is displayed in the image display area on the viewer side of the liquid crystal panel 51.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a backlight unit included in the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG.
  • the LED blocks 321 to 323 including the LEDs 31 are schematically shown, but actually, the LEDs 31 are arranged on the substrate 30 and are divided into blocks in electrical connection.
  • the backlight unit 1 includes a light guide plate 2, a light source unit 3, an optical sheet group 4, an LED drive circuit 7, and the like.
  • the LED drive circuit 7 is a circuit that controls the light emission of the LEDs 31 of the LED blocks 321 to 323 by the PWM method. Note that the LED drive circuit 7 performs light emission control of the LED blocks 321 to 323 based on a pulse signal (referred to as a PWM signal) used in the PWM method.
  • a pulse signal referred to as a PWM signal
  • the LED drive circuit 7 causes the corresponding LED blocks 321 to 323 to emit light when the PWM signal is at the H level. From this, the light emission time of the LED blocks 321 to 323 is determined by the duty ratio of the PWM signal (hereinafter referred to as PWM value), that is, the light emission luminance of the LED blocks 321 to 323 is determined.
  • PWM value the duty ratio of the PWM signal
  • the light emission luminance of each of the LED blocks 321 to 323 is represented by a PWM value.
  • the PWM value is displayed as a decimal number between 0.0 (H level of PWM signal, 0%) to 1.0 (H level of PWM signal 100%).
  • the LED blocks 321 to 323 are connected to the LED drive circuit 7 via the common anode wiring AN on the anode side. Further, the cathode side is connected to the LED drive circuit 7 via cathode wirings K1 to K3 independent for each LED block.
  • the LED drive circuit 7 supplies a current to the LED blocks 321 to 323 individually by applying a constant voltage to the anode wiring AN and controlling the voltages applied to the cathode wirings K1 to K3. It is possible to do.
  • the LED drive circuit 7 applies voltages to the respective cathode wirings K1 to K3 so that the LED blocks 321 to 323 emit light at the corresponding PWM values, whereby each of the LED blocks 321 to 323 is applied. Perform light emission control.
  • FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a display image on the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an effect display image on the liquid crystal display device.
  • 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a three-digit number matching game (roulette).
  • FIG. 4A shows when the numbers change in all the display portions RL, RC, RR (normal state) Display image.
  • FIG. 4B shows a display image when the number of the display parts RL and RR on the left and right sides of the three-digit number is “9” (so-called reach state) (the effect display state is set). It is an example.
  • a highlighted display in the following description, sometimes referred to as highlight display
  • the areas corresponding to the LED blocks 321 to 323 of the display image will be described as A1 to A3.
  • the backlight unit 1 when displaying a display image Im1 having a uniform brightness as shown in FIG. 4A in the image display area, the backlight unit 1 emits planar light having a uniform brightness distribution, The LED blocks 321 to 323 emit light with the same light emission luminance. At this time, the LED drive circuit 7 controls the light emission of all the LED blocks 321 to 323 with the same PWM value (for example, 0.5).
  • the light emitted from the LED block 321 is incident on the light receiving surface 221 of the first light guide member 201, and the light emitted from the LED block 322 is incident on the light receiving surface 222 of the second light guide member 202. Further, the light emitted from the LED block 323 is incident on the light receiving surface 223 of the third light guide member 203. Since the LED blocks 321 to 323 are controlled to emit light with the same luminance as described above, the light emission surfaces 211, 212, and 213 of the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 are uniform and Planar light with the same luminance is emitted.
  • Planar light emitted from the backlight unit 1 is emitted from the light exit surface 211 of the first light guide member 201, the light exit surface 212 of the second light guide member 202, and the light exit surface 213 of the third light guide member 203. Therefore, the planar light emitted from the backlight unit 1 has a uniform luminance distribution, and a display image Im1 having a uniform luminance is displayed (see FIG. 4A). At this time, the left display portion RL, the center display portion RC, and the right display portion RR of the roulette have the same luminance.
  • the central display portion RC is emphasized by emphasizing the central portion. It is possible to attract the attention of the observer (here, the player who is playing). That is, in the display image Im2 shown in FIG. 4B, the stage A2 has higher brightness than the areas A1 and A3 (highlighted display of the area A2), thereby enhancing the performance.
  • the planar light emitted from the backlight unit 1 has a high brightness in a portion corresponding to the area A2. It has a luminance distribution.
  • the luminance of the planar light emitted from the second light guide member 202 is higher than the luminance of the planar light emitted from the first light guide member 201 and the third light guide member 203.
  • the LED drive circuit 7 controls the light emission of the LED block 322 with a high PWM value (for example, 0.8) and the LED blocks 321 and 323 with a low PWM value (for example, 0.4).
  • the LED block 322 is controlled to emit light with a PWM value higher than that of the LED blocks 321, 323, the light emission luminance of the LED block 322 is higher than the light emission luminance of the LED blocks 321, 323.
  • the light emitted from the LED blocks 321, 322, and 323 is incident from the light receiving surfaces 221, 222, and 223 of the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203, respectively.
  • the brightness of the planar light emitted from the light exit surface 212 of the light guide member 202 is higher than the brightness of the planar light emitted from the light exit surface 211 of the first light guide member 201 and the light exit surface 213 of the third light guide member 203. Get higher.
  • the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 are independent, the light is emitted from the LED block 321, the LED block 322, and the LED block 323. It is difficult for light to interfere, and the boundary of luminance of planar light is not easily blurred. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the boundary portions of the areas A1 and A2 and A2 and A3 of the display image Im2 appear clearly, and the visual effect (production effect) by changing the luminance of the planar light can be enhanced. Is possible.
  • the PWM value is switched at a constant timing (for example, the PWM value is alternately switched to 0.4 or 0.8), and the LED block 322 is controlled to emit light, whereby the region A2 of the display image Im2 Can be switched at a constant timing.
  • the PWM value is switched at a constant timing (for example, the PWM value is alternately switched to 0.4 or 0.8)
  • the LED block 322 is controlled to emit light, whereby the region A2 of the display image Im2 Can be switched at a constant timing.
  • the LED drive circuit 7 causes the LED block 321 to emit light with a PWM value (0.8), and causes the LED blocks 322 and 323 to emit light with a PWM value (0.4). Then, every time a certain time elapses, the LED drive circuit 7 switches the PWM value (0.4) to the PWM value (0.8) in order of the LED block 322 and the LED block 323, and performs light emission control. The light emission control of the LED block having the PWM value (0.8) until then is performed with the PWM value (0.4). Further, after the LED block 323 is controlled to emit light with the PWM value (0.8), when a certain time elapses, the LED block 321 is controlled to emit light again with the PWM value (0.8).
  • the LED drive circuit 7 controls the current supplied to the LED blocks 321 to 323 as described above, so that the LEDs 322 and 323 can be made to emit light with high luminance in order from the LED block 321. For this reason, the highlight display of the effect display image moves in the order of the region A1, the region A2, and the region A3 every time a predetermined time elapses. As described above, the highlight display moves, so that it is possible to obtain a visual effect (production effect) with higher performance than the above-described production display state.
  • the light emission is controlled with the PWM value (0.8) in the order of the LED block 322 and the LED block 321 every time a certain time elapses. It is possible to obtain a visual effect (production effect) in which the high-luminance portion of the display image reciprocates left and right.
  • various visual effects production effects, for example, highlighting the areas A1 to A3 at random, etc.
  • FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of another example of the backlight unit according to the present invention.
  • the backlight unit 1B shown in FIG. 5 has the same configuration as that of the backlight unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 and the like except that the light guide plate 2B is different. Detailed description is omitted. Further, in the backlight unit 1B shown in FIG. 5, the optical sheet group 4 is omitted, but the same optical sheet group 4 as that of the backlight unit 1 is provided.
  • the first light guide member 201 and the second light guide member 202 face each other.
  • Reflecting portions 241 and 242 are formed at 231 and 232.
  • Reflecting portions 243 and 242 are similarly formed on the surfaces 233 and 232 of the third light guide member 203 and the second light guide member 202 facing each other. That is, the first light guide member 201 and the third light guide member 203 have a surface (one surface) adjacent to the second light guide member 202, and the second light guide member 202 has the first light guide member 201.
  • the reflection part is formed on both the surface adjacent to the third light guide member 203.
  • the opposing surfaces 231, 232, and 233 can also be referred to as side surfaces that face the arrangement direction of the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203.
  • the reflective part may be formed with a highly reflective metal film (reflective film) such as aluminum, or may be colored with a white pigment, dye, or the like.
  • a reflective member for example, reflection sheet
  • the structure which affixes a reflective member (for example, reflection sheet) with a high reflectance may be sufficient.
  • the structure (a structure etc. which has an unevenness
  • the light inside the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 is reflected by the reflecting portions 241, 242, and 243.
  • the light of the 1st light guide member 201, the 2nd light guide member 202, and the 3rd light guide member 203 leaks from the surfaces 231, 232, and 233 which counter, and the 1st light guide member 201 which adjoins by the leaked light,
  • the effect of suppressing interference with the light inside the second light guide member 202 and the third light guide member 203 is further enhanced.
  • the reflective portions 241, 242, and 243 are formed on the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203, so that the display partially differs in luminance as shown in FIG. 4B.
  • the luminance boundary can be made clearer. As a result, it is possible to clarify a portion where an observer (player) wants to draw attention, and display of a display image with enhanced visual effect (production effect) becomes possible.
  • the first light guide member 201 and the third light guide member 203 are formed with the reflection portions 241 and 243 only on the surface facing the second light guide member 202.
  • a reflective portion may also be formed on the surface opposite to the surface facing the member 202.
  • a reflective portion is formed on one of the mutually facing surfaces of the first light guide member 201 and the second light guide member 202 and on one of the mutually facing surfaces of the third light guide member 203 and the second light guide member 202. May be.
  • the reflection part 241 is formed on the surface 231 facing the second light guide member 202 of the first light guide member 201, the surface 232 corresponding to the first light guide member 201 of the second light guide member 202 is formed.
  • the reflection part may not be formed.
  • the light in the second light guide member 202 is also reflected by the reflecting portion 241 and hardly leaks to the first light guide member 201 side. In this way, by forming the reflection portion on either the first light guide member 201 or the second light guide member 202, leakage of light from each light guide member 201, 202 can be suppressed. The same applies to the second light guide member 202 and the third light guide member 203.
  • the reflection part is formed only on one of the opposing surfaces in different light guide members, it is possible to save labor and time for forming the reflection part.
  • the light guide member is formed by forming the reflective part on the same side (for example, the right side when viewed from the front). It is possible to unify the configurations of the members 201, 202, and 203.
  • each light guide member replaces with a reflection part, and is used as a light absorption part which absorbs the light which leaks from each light guide member. Also good. In this case, since light leaking from the light guide member is absorbed, it is possible to prevent light from leaking to the adjacent light guide member.
  • a light absorption part what comprises and coat
  • FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of still another example of the backlight unit according to the present invention.
  • the backlight unit 1C shown in FIG. 6 has the same configuration as that of the backlight unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 except that the shape of the case 10C is different. The detailed description of is omitted.
  • the optical sheet group 4 is omitted, but the same optical sheet group 4 as that of the backlight unit 1 is provided.
  • the case 10 ⁇ / b> C of the backlight unit 1 ⁇ / b> C includes a first partition member 101 that partitions the first light guide member 201 and the second light guide member 202, and a second light guide member 202 and a third light guide member 203. And a second partition member 102 that partitions the space.
  • the first partition member 101 and the second partition member 102 are formed integrally with the case 10C, and are plate-like members that protrude from the bottom surface of the case 10C.
  • the first light guide member 201 is disposed inside the case 10C so as to be surrounded on all sides by the side wall protruding from the outer periphery of the case 10C and the first partition member 101.
  • the second light guide member 202 is disposed inside the case 10C so as to be surrounded on all sides by the first partition member 101, the second partition member 102, and the side wall of the case 10C.
  • the third light guide member 203 is disposed inside the case 10C so as to be surrounded on all sides by the side wall of the case 10C and the second partition member 102.
  • the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 are arranged in the case 10 ⁇ / b> C so that light leaking from each light guide member can be separated from the first partition member 101 or the second light guide member 101. It can be blocked by the partition member 102. Thereby, the boundary of the part where the brightness of the display image changes in the effect display state is clarified, and the visual effect (effect effect) can be enhanced. Further, the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 need only be arranged in the case 10C, and the labor for manufacturing / assembling the light guide member and the backlight unit 1C can be saved. Is possible.
  • both surfaces of the first partition member 101 and the second partition member 102 may be formed as reflective portions (for example, a metal film having a high reflectance is formed on the surface, or a white member). Moreover, both surfaces of the 1st partition rate 101 and the 2nd partition member 102 may be formed as a light absorption part (for example, black board member) which absorbs light.
  • the first partition member 101 and the second partition member 102 are formed integrally with the case 10C.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the first partition member 101 and / or the second partition member 102 are not limited thereto.
  • the two partition members 102 are formed separately from the case, and the first partition member 101 and the second partition member 102 are inserted between the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203. You may make it do.
  • FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the backlight unit according to the present invention
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the backlight unit shown in FIG.
  • the backlight unit 1D has the same configuration as the backlight unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 except that the light source 3 is different, and substantially the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description of the same parts is omitted.
  • the optical sheet group 4 is omitted, but the same optical sheet group 4 as that of the backlight unit 1 is provided.
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B show display images in the effect display state when the backlight unit shown in FIG. 8 is used.
  • the light source 3 includes six LED blocks 331 to 336 including a plurality of (here, six) LEDs 31.
  • the light from the LED blocks 331 and 332 is the first light guide member 201
  • the light from the LED blocks 333 and 334 is the second light guide member 202
  • the light from the LED blocks 335 and 336 is the third light guide member. 203, respectively.
  • the anode sides of the LED blocks 331 to 336 are connected to the LED driving circuit 7 via a common anode wiring AN
  • the cathode sides are connected to the LED driving circuit 7 via independent cathode wirings K1 to K6, respectively.
  • the LED drive circuit 7 is a circuit that supplies current to the LED blocks 331 to 336, and the current supply method is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a specific description thereof is omitted.
  • the LED drive circuit 7 causes the LED blocks 331 to 336 to emit light based on the common PWM value.
  • the LED blocks 331 to 336 emit light with the same or substantially the same luminance, and a display image Im1 with a uniform luminance is displayed in the image display area of the liquid crystal panel unit 5 (see FIG. 4A).
  • the LED drive circuit 7 controls the light emission of the LED blocks 333 and 334 with a PWM value (for example, 0.8), and the LED blocks 331, 332, 335, and 336 with a PWM value (for example, 0.4). ) To control the light emission.
  • the current supplied to the LED blocks 333 and 334 is approximately twice the current supplied to the LED blocks 331, 332, 335, and 336, and the luminance is also approximately doubled.
  • the luminance of the planar light emitted from the second light guide member 202 is approximately twice the luminance of the planar light emitted from the first light guide member 201 and the third light guide member 203, and the liquid crystal panel unit
  • the effect display image displayed in the image display area 5 is substantially the same as the effect display image Im2 shown in FIG. 4B.
  • the effect display image Im2 in the effect display state is displayed.
  • the area A2 can be flushed at a constant timing. Thereby, it is possible to easily attract the attention of the observer (player) and enhance the visual effect (production effect). Note that when the area A2 of the effect display image Im2 is flashed, the current value supplied to the LED blocks 333 and 334 is constant.
  • the backlight unit 1D is configured such that light from two LED blocks enters one light guide member. That is, the light from the LED blocks 331 and 332 is input to the first light guide member 201, the light from the LED blocks 333 and 334 is input to the second light guide member 202, and the LED is input to the third light guide member 203. Light from the blocks 335 and 336 is incident on each of the blocks.
  • the region of the display image is subdivided, and the portion corresponding to the light from the LED block 331 in the region A1 is referred to as region A11, and the portion corresponding to the light from the LED block 332 is referred to as A12.
  • the area A2 is divided into areas A21 and A22, and the area A3 is divided into areas A31 and A32.
  • the brightness of the areas A21 and A22 in the area A2 are alternately changed in order to attract more attention to the area A2. By changing, it is possible to further enhance the visual effect (production effect).
  • the left LED block 333 is caused to emit light at a PWM value (0.8), and the right LED block 334 is caused to emit light at 0.6.
  • light emission control is performed so that the PWM values are switched at a predetermined timing, so that light having different luminances enters the second light guide member 202 and is emitted from the light exit surface 212.
  • the light has a luminance difference between the left and right.
  • luminance is replaced
  • the light from the LED block 333 interferes with the light from the LED block 334.
  • the boundary between the region A21 and the region A22 of the display image Im3 is not as clear as the boundary between the region A1 and the region A2, but the luminance changes between the region A21 and the region A22 of the display image Im3.
  • a visual effect (directing effect) that attracts the attention of a person).
  • the LED block with high emission luminance is changed from left to right. It is possible to move. Also at this time, in the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203, the light from the adjacent LED block interferes, but conversely, the boundary where the luminance is switched is not clear. The viewer (player) can visually recognize the high-luminance portion of the display image as if it moves smoothly. Thereby, it is possible to enhance the visual effect (production effect).
  • the effect is not limited to the above, and a display having more effect by controlling the light emission of the LED block (for example, a high-luminance portion that randomly generates a high-luminance portion of a display image is left and right). And so on).
  • the backlight unit 1D has the same configuration as that of the backlight unit 1.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the same configuration as the backlight unit 1B or the backlight unit 1C may be used.
  • the structure which the light from two LED blocks injects into each of the 1st light guide member 201, the 2nd light guide member 202, and the 3rd light guide member 203 it is not limited to this, You may make it the light from three or more LED blocks inject.
  • the number of LED blocks corresponding to the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 may be different.
  • the first light guide member 201, the second light guide The member 202 and the third light guide member 203 may be configured to emit uniform planar light.
  • the liquid crystal display device using the backlight unit is described as being used as a display unit of a game device, but is not limited thereto, and is not limited to information appliances, notebook PCs, mobile phones, and the like. It can also be used as a display portion of electronic equipment. In that case, for example, the effect display state can be used as a caution display state for alerting the user when an incorrect input is made or when some trouble occurs.
  • the light guide plate includes three light guide members.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the light guide plate includes two or four or more light guide members. May be.
  • the light guide plate includes a light guide member having the same size and shape, but is not limited thereto, and includes light guide members having different sizes or shapes. It is good also as a structure.
  • the brightness of the LED block corresponding to the predetermined area of the display image is increased in the effect display state.
  • the brightness of the LED block corresponding to the predetermined area of the display image is described. You may make it perform control which lowers. By displaying in this way, sufficient effect display such as highlight display and flash display is possible due to the relative brightness difference between the regions of the display image, and the power consumption is reduced because the brightness of the LED block is lowered. It is possible.
  • the liquid crystal display device is described as an image display device using the backlight unit of the present invention.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the backlight unit according to the present invention is a transmissive type. It can be widely used in image display devices.
  • the backlight unit and the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention can be used as a display unit of an electronic device such as an information appliance, a notebook PC, a mobile phone, or a game device.

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Abstract

A backlight unit (1) provided with a plurality of light-guiding members (201, 202, 203) having: a light source unit (3) in which a plurality of LEDs (31) are arranged in a straight line and which is divided into LED blocks (321 to 323) per a predetermined number of LEDs; and a light guide plate (2) which receives the light from the light source unit (3) at a light-receiving surface and which emits the aforementioned light as planar light from a light-emitting surface. The light guide plate (2) is arranged in the same direction as the arrangement direction of the LEDs (31).

Description

バックライトユニット及び液晶表示装置Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device
　本発明は、一部の輝度が異なる面状光を出射するエッジライト方式のバックライトユニットに関するものであり、このバックライトユニットを備えた液晶表示装置に関するものである。 The present invention relates to an edge light type backlight unit that emits part of planar light having different luminance, and relates to a liquid crystal display device including the backlight unit.
　情報家電、ノートＰＣ、携帯電話、遊戯装置等の電子機器では、表示装置として液晶表示装置が多く用いられている。前記液晶表示装置は、液晶パネルユニットと、前記液晶パネルユニットの背面に配置されるバックライトユニットを備えており、前記液晶パネルユニットが、前記バックライトユニットからの面状光の透過度合（透過率）を画素毎に調整し、前記液晶パネルユニットの正面の画像表示領域に画像を表示する。 In electronic appliances such as information home appliances, notebook PCs, mobile phones and game machines, liquid crystal display devices are often used as display devices. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel unit and a backlight unit disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel unit, and the liquid crystal panel unit transmits the degree of transmittance (transmittance) of planar light from the backlight unit. ) For each pixel, and an image is displayed in the image display area in front of the liquid crystal panel unit.
　前記バックライトユニットには、大きく分けて２種類ある。１つは導光板を備え、前記導光板の側面の受光面から光を受光する導光板方式（エッジライト方式）であり、もう１つは液晶パネルユニットの背面に光源を配置した直下型方式である。前記電子機器では、表示装置の薄型化の要求が高く、薄型化に有効なエッジライト方式のバックライトユニットが用いられることが多い（特開平９－１６００３５号公報等参照）。 There are two types of backlight units. One is a light guide plate method (edge light method) that includes a light guide plate and receives light from the light receiving surface on the side surface of the light guide plate, and the other is a direct type method in which a light source is arranged on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel unit. is there. In the electronic equipment, there is a high demand for thin display devices, and an edge light type backlight unit that is effective for thinning is often used (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-160035).
　前記バックライトユニットでは、光源ユニットに発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）が用いられることが多くなっている。前記ＬＥＤは、従来用いられてきた蛍光ランプ（冷陰極管等）に比べてそれ自体小型で長寿命であるとともに、駆動回路を簡略化でき、バックライトユニットの更なる小型化及び薄型化が可能となる。 In the backlight unit, a light emitting diode (LED) is often used for the light source unit. The LED itself is smaller and has a longer life than a fluorescent lamp (such as a cold-cathode tube) that has been conventionally used, and the drive circuit can be simplified, and the backlight unit can be further reduced in size and thickness. It becomes.
　エッジライト式バックライトユニットでは、導光板の側面に形成された受光面になるべく均一な光を入射させることが好ましく、点光源であるＬＥＤを用いる場合、複数個のＬＥＤを直線状に配列し、この複数個のＬＥＤを均一且つ同時に点灯させる光源ユニットが用いられる。また、導光板の受光面の形状を拡散しやすい形状となるように工夫したり、導光板の形状を工夫したりすることで前記ＬＥＤからの光を導光板内で拡散させ導光板から出射される面状光の均一性を高めている（特許第３７７０５５８号公報参照）。 In the edge light type backlight unit, it is preferable to make the light as uniform as possible on the light receiving surface formed on the side surface of the light guide plate, and when using an LED that is a point light source, a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a straight line, A light source unit that turns on the plurality of LEDs uniformly and simultaneously is used. In addition, the light receiving surface of the light guide plate is devised so as to be easily diffused, or the shape of the light guide plate is devised to diffuse the light from the LED within the light guide plate and be emitted from the light guide plate. (See Japanese Patent No. 3770558).
　光源にＬＥＤを用いたエッジライト方式のバックライトユニットについて図面を参照して説明する。図１０は従来の液晶表示装置のバックライトユニットを示す配置図である。図１０に示すように、バックライトユニット９１は、導光板９２と、複数個のＬＥＤ３１が直線状に配列された光源ユニット９３とを備えている。また、光源ユニット９３の発光はＬＥＤ駆動回路９４にて制御される。 An edge light type backlight unit using an LED as a light source will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a layout view showing a backlight unit of a conventional liquid crystal display device. As shown in FIG. 10, the backlight unit 91 includes a light guide plate 92 and a light source unit 93 in which a plurality of LEDs 31 are linearly arranged. The light emission of the light source unit 93 is controlled by the LED drive circuit 94.
　図１０に示すように、光源ユニット９３は、複数個のＬＥＤ３１が直線上に配列されている。光源ユニット９３は、複数個のＬＥＤ３１を所定個数（ここでは、８個）毎にＬＥＤブロック９３１～９３５として区切った構成となっている。各ＬＥＤブロック９３１～９３５の内部では、ＬＥＤ３１が直列に接続されており、ＬＥＤブロック９３１～９３５は並列に接続されている。 As shown in FIG. 10, the light source unit 93 has a plurality of LEDs 31 arranged in a straight line. The light source unit 93 has a configuration in which a plurality of LEDs 31 are divided into LED blocks 931 to 935 every predetermined number (eight in this case). Inside the LED blocks 931 to 935, the LEDs 31 are connected in series, and the LED blocks 931 to 935 are connected in parallel.
　図１０に示すように、各ＬＥＤブロック９３１～９３５はＬＥＤ駆動回路９４に並列に接続されている。ＬＥＤ駆動回路９４は各ＬＥＤブロック９３１～９３５に同じ電流を供給しており、ＬＥＤブロック９３１～９３５は同じ輝度で発光する構成となっている。すなわち、バックライトユニッ９１は均一な面状光を出射可能な構成である。 As shown in FIG. 10, the LED blocks 931 to 935 are connected to the LED drive circuit 94 in parallel. The LED drive circuit 94 supplies the same current to the LED blocks 931 to 935, and the LED blocks 931 to 935 emit light with the same luminance. That is, the backlight unit 91 is configured to emit uniform planar light.
　上述するような、電子機器において、予め決められた入力があったときに観察者（操作者）に注意を喚起したり、予め決められた条件を満たしたときに演出性を高めたりする場合がある。前記液晶表示装置では、観察者が認識しやすい表示内容の画像を表示したり、画像を切り替えて表示したりすることで、注意の喚起或いは演出性を高めることを行っている。 In the electronic device as described above, there is a case where the observer (operator) is alerted when there is a predetermined input, or the performance is enhanced when a predetermined condition is satisfied. is there. In the liquid crystal display device, an image with display contents that can be easily recognized by an observer is displayed, or an image is switched and displayed, thereby raising attention or enhancing the performance.
特開平９－１６００３５号公報Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-160035 特許第３７７０５５８号公報Japanese Patent No. 3770558
　しかしながら、前記液晶表示装置は表示内容によって、画像表示領域に表示している画像を切り替えることが困難な場合、新たな画像を表示できなかったり、画像の切り替えができなかったりして、観察者に注意を喚起したり、演出性を高めたりすることが困難である。 However, when it is difficult to switch the image displayed in the image display area depending on the display content, the liquid crystal display device cannot display a new image or cannot switch the image. It is difficult to call attention or improve performance.
　また、面状光全体の輝度を変化させることで、観察者の注意を引いたり演出性を高めることも可能であるが、液晶表示装置で表示されている画面全体で輝度が変化するので、観察者の注意を喚起したり、演出性を高める効果が十分でない場合があった。 It is also possible to draw the viewer's attention and enhance the presentation by changing the brightness of the entire planar light, but the brightness changes over the entire screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device. In some cases, the effect of raising the attention of the person or improving the performance is not sufficient.
　そこで本発明は、光源にＬＥＤを用いたエッジライト方式のバックライトユニットであって、面状光の一部の輝度を調整するとき、輝度が変化する境界部分を明確に表現できるバックライトユニット及びこのバックライトユニットを利用した液晶表示装置を提供することを目的とする。 Therefore, the present invention is an edge light type backlight unit using an LED as a light source, and a backlight unit capable of clearly expressing a boundary portion where the luminance changes when adjusting the luminance of a part of the planar light, and An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device using the backlight unit.
　上記目的を達成するため本発明は、複数のＬＥＤが直線状に配列されている光源ユニットと、前記光源ユニットからの光を受光面で受光し、出光面より面状光として出射する導光板とを有し、前記導光板が、前記ＬＥＤの配列方向と同じ方向に並んで配列された複数個の導光部材を備えていることを特徴とする。 In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light source unit in which a plurality of LEDs are linearly arranged, a light guide plate that receives light from the light source unit on a light receiving surface, and emits the light from the light emitting surface as planar light. The light guide plate includes a plurality of light guide members arranged side by side in the same direction as the LED arrangement direction.
　この構成によると、導光板が複数個の導光部材に分割されているので、隣の導光部材の光による干渉を受けにくい。これにより、前記複数個の導光部材から異なる輝度の面状光を出射する場合、輝度が異なる境界を明確にすることが可能となっている。これにより、表示画像の一部の輝度を他の部分よりも高くするハイライト表示や、一部の輝度を変化させるフラッシュ表示等の演出表示の効果を高めることが可能である。 According to this configuration, since the light guide plate is divided into a plurality of light guide members, it is difficult to receive interference from the light of the adjacent light guide member. Thereby, when planar light with different luminance is emitted from the plurality of light guide members, it is possible to clarify the boundary where the luminance is different. Thereby, it is possible to enhance the effect of effect display such as highlight display in which the luminance of a part of the display image is higher than that of the other part and flash display in which a part of the luminance is changed.
　上記構成において、前記光源は、一定数のＬＥＤごとにＬＥＤブロックに分割されており、前記複数個の導光部材は、それぞれの受光面が、少なくとも１つの前記ＬＥＤブロックと対向するように形成されていてもよい。この構成によると、前記導光部材に入射する光の輝度を正確に調整することが可能である。これにより、前記導光部材から出射される面状光の境界を明確にすることが可能であり、表示画像の一部の輝度を他の部分よりも高くするハイライト表示や、一部の輝度を変化させるフラッシュ表示等の演出表示の効果を高めることが可能である。 In the above configuration, the light source is divided into LED blocks for a certain number of LEDs, and the plurality of light guide members are formed such that each light receiving surface faces at least one LED block. It may be. According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately adjust the luminance of the light incident on the light guide member. As a result, it is possible to clarify the boundary of the planar light emitted from the light guide member, and highlight display that increases the luminance of a part of the display image higher than the other part, and partial luminance It is possible to enhance the effect of effect display such as flash display that changes the display.
　上記構成において、前記導光部材は、配列方向に面する側面に反射部が形成されていてもよいし、前記反射部は隣り合って配置された導光部材の隣の導光部材と対向する側面に形成されていてもよい。反射部が形成されていることで、側面から光が漏れ隣の導光板に入光するのを抑制することができる。これにより、面状光の境界が不明瞭になるのを抑制し、演出効果を高めることが可能である。 The said structure WHEREIN: The said light guide member may have the reflection part formed in the side surface which faces an arrangement direction, and the said reflection part opposes the light guide member adjacent to the light guide member arrange | positioned adjacently. It may be formed on the side surface. By forming the reflection portion, light can be prevented from leaking from the side surface and entering the adjacent light guide plate. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the boundary of the planar light from becoming unclear and enhance the effect.
　上記構成において、前記導光部材は、配列方向に面する側面に光を吸収する光吸収部が形成されていてもよく、前記光吸収部が隣り合って配置された導光部材の隣の導光部材と対向する側面に形成されていてもよい。反射部と同様、側面から光が漏れるのを抑制し、演出効果を高めることが可能である。 In the above configuration, the light guide member may be formed with a light absorption part that absorbs light on a side surface facing the arrangement direction, and the light guide member adjacent to the light guide member disposed adjacent to the light absorption part. You may form in the side surface facing an optical member. Similar to the reflection part, it is possible to suppress the leakage of light from the side surface and enhance the effect.
　上記構成において、前記隣り合って配列された導光部材の間に仕切り部材が配置されていてもよい。この場合において、前記仕切り部材がバックライトユニットの外装であるケースと一体的に形成されていてもよい。 In the above configuration, a partition member may be disposed between the light guide members arranged adjacent to each other. In this case, the partition member may be formed integrally with a case that is an exterior of the backlight unit.
　上記構成において、前記仕切り部材が前記導光部材の側面から漏れた光を反射する反射部を備えていてもよい。 In the above-described configuration, the partition member may include a reflection portion that reflects light leaking from the side surface of the light guide member.
　上記構成において、前記仕切り部材が前記導光部材の側面から漏れた光を吸収する光吸収部を備えていてもよい。 In the above configuration, the partition member may include a light absorbing portion that absorbs light leaked from a side surface of the light guide member.
　以上に示したような、バックライトユニットを利用する画像表示装置として、液晶表示装置を挙げることができる。 As the image display device using the backlight unit as described above, a liquid crystal display device can be exemplified.
　本発明によると、光源にＬＥＤを用いたエッジライト方式のバックライトユニットであって、面状光の一部の輝度を調整するとき、輝度が変化する境界部分を明確に表現できるバックライトユニット及びこのバックライトユニットを利用した液晶表示装置を提供することができる。 According to the present invention, an edge light type backlight unit using an LED as a light source, and a backlight unit capable of clearly expressing a boundary portion where the luminance changes when adjusting the luminance of a part of the planar light, and A liquid crystal display device using this backlight unit can be provided.
本発明にかかるバックライトユニットを備えた液晶表示装置の一例の分解斜視図である。It is a disassembled perspective view of an example of the liquid crystal display device provided with the backlight unit concerning this invention. 光源の配線状態を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the wiring state of a light source. 図１に示す液晶表示装置に含まれるバックライトユニットの各部を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows each part of the backlight unit contained in the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 図１に示す液晶表示装置の表示画像を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the display image of the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 図１に示す液晶表示装置の演出表示画像を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the effect display image of the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 本発明にかかるバックライトユニットの他の例の分解斜視図である。It is a disassembled perspective view of the other example of the backlight unit concerning this invention. 本発明にかかるバックライトユニットのさらに他の例の分解斜視図である。It is a disassembled perspective view of the further another example of the backlight unit concerning this invention. 本発明にかかるバックライトユニットのさらに他の例の分解斜視図である。It is a disassembled perspective view of the further another example of the backlight unit concerning this invention. 図７に示すバックライトユニットの各部を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows each part of the backlight unit shown in FIG. 図７に示すバックライトユニットを備えた液晶表示装置での表示画像の図である。It is a figure of the display image in a liquid crystal display device provided with the backlight unit shown in FIG. 図７に示すバックライトユニットを備えた液晶表示装置での表示画像の図である。It is a figure of the display image in a liquid crystal display device provided with the backlight unit shown in FIG. 従来の液晶表示装置のバックライトユニットを示す配置図である。It is a layout view showing a backlight unit of a conventional liquid crystal display device.
　以下に本発明の実施形態について図面を参照して説明する。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
（第１の実施形態）
　図１は本発明にかかるバックライトユニットを備えた液晶表示装置の一例の分解斜視図である。図１に示すように、液晶表示装置Ａは、バックライトユニット１、液晶パネルユニット５を備えており、バックライトユニット１の正面側（観察者側）に液晶パネルユニット５が配置されている。 (First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a liquid crystal display device provided with a backlight unit according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display device A includes a backlight unit 1 and a liquid crystal panel unit 5, and the liquid crystal panel unit 5 is disposed on the front side (observer side) of the backlight unit 1.
　バックライトユニット１は、面状光を液晶パネルユニット５に照射する照明装置である。バックライトユニット１は、平板形状の導光板２と、導光板２の側面に形成された受光面２２に向けて光を照射する光源ユニット３と、導光板２と近接して配置された、拡散シート、プリズムシート等を含む光学シート群４とを備えている。また、バックライトユニット１はケース１０を備えており、少なくとも、導光板２及び光源ユニット３はケースの内部に配置されている。 The backlight unit 1 is an illumination device that irradiates the liquid crystal panel unit 5 with planar light. The backlight unit 1 includes a flat light guide plate 2, a light source unit 3 that irradiates light toward a light receiving surface 22 formed on a side surface of the light guide plate 2, and a diffusion unit disposed in the vicinity of the light guide plate 2. And an optical sheet group 4 including a sheet, a prism sheet, and the like. In addition, the backlight unit 1 includes a case 10, and at least the light guide plate 2 and the light source unit 3 are disposed inside the case.
　導光板２は、ポリメチルメタクリレート（ＰＭＭＡ）、ポリカーボネイト等の透明な樹脂を平板形状に成形したものである。なお、これらの樹脂に限定されるものではなく、透明な平板形状に形成することができるものを広く採用することができる。導光板２は同じ大きさ及び形状の平板状部材である第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３を並べて形成されている。 The light guide plate 2 is formed by forming a transparent resin such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate into a flat plate shape. In addition, it is not limited to these resin, The thing which can be formed in a transparent flat plate shape can be employ | adopted widely. The light guide plate 2 is formed by arranging a first light guide member 201, a second light guide member 202, and a third light guide member 203, which are flat members of the same size and shape.
　なお、第２導光部材２０２を中心として、第１導光部材２０１及び第３導光部材２０３は、第２導光部材２０２と接触している。第１導光部材２０１と第２導光部材２０２、第２導光部材２０２と第３導光部材２０３とは接着されていてもよい。第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２、第３導光部材２０３はそれぞれ、面状光を出射する出光面を２１１、２１２、２１３と、光源ユニット３からの光を受光する受光面２２１、２２２、２２３とを備えている。なお、以下の説明において、導光板２は出光面２１１、２１２、２１３が並んで形成された出光面２１と、受光面２２１、２２２、２２３が並んで形成された受光面２２を備えている。 The first light guide member 201 and the third light guide member 203 are in contact with the second light guide member 202 around the second light guide member 202. The first light guide member 201 and the second light guide member 202, and the second light guide member 202 and the third light guide member 203 may be bonded. The first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 have light exit surfaces 211, 212, and 213 that emit planar light, and light receiving surfaces that receive light from the light source unit 3, respectively. 221, 222, and 223. In the following description, the light guide plate 2 includes a light exit surface 21 in which the light exit surfaces 211, 212, and 213 are formed side by side, and a light receiving surface 22 in which the light receiving surfaces 221, 222, and 223 are formed side by side.
　光源ユニット３は、受光面２２と対向して配置される。光源ユニット３は、受光面２２と対向して配置される長尺形状の基板３０と、基板３０上に直線状に配列された複数個のＬＥＤ３１（ここでは、３６個）を備えている。なお、光源ユニット３では、ＬＥＤ３１は等間隔で配列されているが、部分的に間隔を変えた配列であってもよい。 The light source unit 3 is disposed to face the light receiving surface 22. The light source unit 3 includes a long substrate 30 disposed to face the light receiving surface 22 and a plurality of LEDs 31 (36 in this case) arranged linearly on the substrate 30. In the light source unit 3, the LEDs 31 are arranged at equal intervals, but may be an arrangement in which the intervals are partially changed.
　光源ユニット３について、さらに詳しく説明する。図２は光源の配線状態を示す図である。図２に示すように、光源ユニット３は、所定数（ここでは、１２個）のＬＥＤ３１で構成された、３個のＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３に分割されている。なお、１つのブロックを構成するＬＥＤの数が１２個に限定されるものではなく、ＬＥＤブロックの数も３個に限定されるものでもない。 The light source unit 3 will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a wiring state of the light source. As shown in FIG. 2, the light source unit 3 is divided into three LED blocks 321 to 323 composed of a predetermined number (here, 12) of LEDs 31. The number of LEDs constituting one block is not limited to twelve, and the number of LED blocks is not limited to three.
　図２に示しているように、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３は、それぞれ１２個のＬＥＤ３１が直列に接続されている。図２に示す光源ユニット３では、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３のアノード側が共通の配線ＡＮと接続しており、カソード側がそれぞれ独立したカソード配線Ｋ１～Ｋ３と接続した構成を有している。なお、この構成に限定されるものではなく、各ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３に個別に電流を供給できる構成を広く採用することができる。例えば、カソード側を共通の配線とする構成であってもよく、アノード側及びカソード側の両方が独立した配線に接続されていてもよい。また、アノード配線ＡＮ及びカソード配線Ｋ１～Ｋ３は後述のＬＥＤ駆動回路７に接続されている。 As shown in FIG. 2, each of the LED blocks 321 to 323 has 12 LEDs 31 connected in series. The light source unit 3 shown in FIG. 2 has a configuration in which the anode sides of the LED blocks 321 to 323 are connected to a common wiring AN, and the cathode side is connected to independent cathode wirings K1 to K3. Note that the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and a configuration that can individually supply current to each of the LED blocks 321 to 323 can be widely employed. For example, the cathode side may be configured to be a common wiring, and both the anode side and the cathode side may be connected to independent wirings. The anode wiring AN and the cathode wirings K1 to K3 are connected to an LED drive circuit 7 described later.
　ＬＥＤ３１は、電流の大きさによって輝度が変化する発光素子である。そして、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３内の複数のＬＥＤ３１は電気的に直列に接続されているので、同じ電流値の電流が供給され、同一の輝度で発光する。なお、詳細は後述するが、ＬＥＤ３１に供給される電流はパルス幅変調方式で制御されている（以下、ＰＷＭ制御と称する場合がある）。 The LED 31 is a light emitting element whose luminance changes depending on the magnitude of current. Since the plurality of LEDs 31 in the LED blocks 321 to 323 are electrically connected in series, a current having the same current value is supplied and light is emitted with the same luminance. In addition, although mentioned later for details, the electric current supplied to LED31 is controlled by the pulse width modulation system (henceforth a PWM control).
　図１に示すように、バックライトユニット１において、ＬＥＤブロック３２１から出射した光は第１導光部材２０１の受光面２２１から入射し、第１導光部材２０１内で反射を繰返し、出光面２１１より均一な輝度の面状光として出射される。同様に、ＬＥＤブロック３２２から出射した光は第２導光部材２０２の受光面２２２から入射し、出光面２１２より面状光として出射される。 As shown in FIG. 1, in the backlight unit 1, light emitted from the LED block 321 enters from the light receiving surface 221 of the first light guide member 201, is repeatedly reflected in the first light guide member 201, and exits the light output surface 211. It is emitted as planar light with more uniform brightness. Similarly, light emitted from the LED block 322 enters from the light receiving surface 222 of the second light guide member 202 and is emitted from the light exit surface 212 as planar light.
　同様に、ＬＥＤブロック３２３から出射した光は第３導光部材２０３の受光面２２３より受光し、出光面２１３より面状光として出射される。面状光は出光面２１１、２１２、２１３の形状に基づいた長方形状となる。出光面２１１、２１２、２１３が並んで配置されるので、導光板２より出射される面状光は、出光面２１１、２１２、２１３より出射される面状光を隣り合わせに組み合わせたものとなる。 Similarly, light emitted from the LED block 323 is received from the light receiving surface 223 of the third light guide member 203 and emitted from the light emitting surface 213 as planar light. The planar light has a rectangular shape based on the shape of the light exit surfaces 211, 212, and 213. Since the light exit surfaces 211, 212, and 213 are arranged side by side, the surface light emitted from the light guide plate 2 is a combination of the surface lights emitted from the light exit surfaces 211, 212, and 213 side by side.
　また、ＬＥＤ３１から出射される光は拡散光であるが、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３がそれぞれ分割されているので、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３に受光した光は、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３の内部で反射を繰返し出光面２１１、２１２、２１３から出射される。このことから、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２、第３導光部材２０３に入射した光は、隣の導光部材に入射しにくくなっている。 Further, although the light emitted from the LED 31 is diffused light, the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 are divided, so that the first light guide member 201, The light received by the second light guide member 202 and the third light guide member 203 is repeatedly reflected inside the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202 and the third light guide member 203, and the light exit surfaces 211 and 212. 213. For this reason, the light incident on the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 is less likely to enter the adjacent light guide member.
　液晶パネルユニット５は、液晶が封入された液晶パネル５１と、液晶パネル５１の前面（観察者側）及び背面（バックライトユニット１側）に貼り付けられた偏光板５２とを有している。液晶パネル５１は、アレイ基板と、アレイ基板と対向して配置された対向基板と、アレイ基板と対向基板との間に充填される液晶とを含んでいる。 The liquid crystal panel unit 5 includes a liquid crystal panel 51 in which liquid crystal is sealed, and a polarizing plate 52 attached to the front surface (observer side) and the back surface (backlight unit 1 side) of the liquid crystal panel 51. The liquid crystal panel 51 includes an array substrate, a counter substrate disposed to face the array substrate, and liquid crystal filled between the array substrate and the counter substrate.
　アレイ基板には、互いに直交するソース配線及びゲート配線、ソース配線及びゲート配線に接続されたスイッチング素子（例えば、薄膜トランジスタ）、スイッチング素子に接続された画素電極及び配向膜等が設けられている。そして、対向基板には、赤、緑、青（ＲＧＢ）の各着色部が所定の配列で配置されたカラーフィルタ、共通電極、配向膜等が設けられている。 The array substrate is provided with a source wiring and a gate wiring orthogonal to each other, a switching element (for example, a thin film transistor) connected to the source wiring and the gate wiring, a pixel electrode connected to the switching element, an alignment film, and the like. The counter substrate is provided with a color filter in which colored portions of red, green, and blue (RGB) are arranged in a predetermined arrangement, a common electrode, an alignment film, and the like.
　アレイ基板のスイッチング素子を駆動信号で駆動することで、液晶パネル５１の各画素におけるアレイ基板と対向基板との間に電圧が印加される。アレイ基板と対向基板の間の電圧が変化することで、各画素での光の透過度合が変更される。これにより、液晶パネル５１の観察者側の画像表示領域に画像を表示する。 A voltage is applied between the array substrate and the counter substrate in each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 51 by driving the switching elements of the array substrate with a drive signal. By changing the voltage between the array substrate and the counter substrate, the degree of light transmission in each pixel is changed. As a result, an image is displayed in the image display area on the viewer side of the liquid crystal panel 51.
　本発明にかかるバックライトユニットの詳細について、新たな図面を参照して説明する。図３は図１に示す液晶表示装置に含まれるバックライトユニットのブロック図である。なお、図３ではＬＥＤ３１を含むＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３を模式図で示しているが、実際には、基板３０上にＬＥＤ３１が配列されており、電気的な接続においてブロック分けされているものである。図１、図３に示すように、バックライトユニット１は、導光板２、光源ユニット３、光学シート群４、ＬＥＤ駆動回路７等を備えている。 Details of the backlight unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to a new drawing. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a backlight unit included in the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the LED blocks 321 to 323 including the LEDs 31 are schematically shown, but actually, the LEDs 31 are arranged on the substrate 30 and are divided into blocks in electrical connection. . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the backlight unit 1 includes a light guide plate 2, a light source unit 3, an optical sheet group 4, an LED drive circuit 7, and the like.
　ＬＥＤ駆動回路７は、ＰＷＭ方式でＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３のＬＥＤ３１の発光を制御する回路である。なお、ＬＥＤ駆動回路７はＰＷＭ方式で用いられるパルス信号（ＰＷＭ信号と称する）に基づいて、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３の発光制御が行われている。 The LED drive circuit 7 is a circuit that controls the light emission of the LEDs 31 of the LED blocks 321 to 323 by the PWM method. Note that the LED drive circuit 7 performs light emission control of the LED blocks 321 to 323 based on a pulse signal (referred to as a PWM signal) used in the PWM method.
　ＬＥＤ駆動回路７はＰＷＭ信号がＨレベルのとき、対応するＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３を発光させる。このことから、ＰＷＭ信号のデューティ比（以下、ＰＷＭ値と称する）によってＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３の発光時間が決定される、すなわち、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３の発光輝度が決定される。なお、以下の説明において、便宜上、各ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３の発光輝度をＰＷＭ値で表す。また、そのＰＷＭ値は、０．０（ＰＷＭ信号のＨレベル、０％）～１．０（ＰＷＭ信号のＨレベル１００％）の小数で表示している。 The LED drive circuit 7 causes the corresponding LED blocks 321 to 323 to emit light when the PWM signal is at the H level. From this, the light emission time of the LED blocks 321 to 323 is determined by the duty ratio of the PWM signal (hereinafter referred to as PWM value), that is, the light emission luminance of the LED blocks 321 to 323 is determined. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the light emission luminance of each of the LED blocks 321 to 323 is represented by a PWM value. The PWM value is displayed as a decimal number between 0.0 (H level of PWM signal, 0%) to 1.0 (H level of PWM signal 100%).
　図３に示しているように、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３はアノード側が共通のアノード配線ＡＮを介してＬＥＤ駆動回路７に接続されている。また、カソード側はＬＥＤブロックごとに独立したカソード配線Ｋ１～Ｋ３を介してＬＥＤ駆動回路７に接続されている。このことより、ＬＥＤ駆動回路７は、アノード配線ＡＮに一定の電圧を印加しておき、各カソード配線Ｋ１～Ｋ３に印加する電圧を制御することで、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３に個別に電流を供給することが可能となっている。このように、ＬＥＤ駆動回路７はＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３それぞれに対し、対応するＰＷＭ値で発光するように、各カソード配線Ｋ１～Ｋ３に電圧を印加することで、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３のそれぞれの発光制御を行う。 As shown in FIG. 3, the LED blocks 321 to 323 are connected to the LED drive circuit 7 via the common anode wiring AN on the anode side. Further, the cathode side is connected to the LED drive circuit 7 via cathode wirings K1 to K3 independent for each LED block. Thus, the LED drive circuit 7 supplies a current to the LED blocks 321 to 323 individually by applying a constant voltage to the anode wiring AN and controlling the voltages applied to the cathode wirings K1 to K3. It is possible to do. As described above, the LED drive circuit 7 applies voltages to the respective cathode wirings K1 to K3 so that the LED blocks 321 to 323 emit light at the corresponding PWM values, whereby each of the LED blocks 321 to 323 is applied. Perform light emission control.
　上述したバックライトユニット１の駆動について図面を参照して説明する。図４Ａは図１に示す液晶表示装置で表示画像を表示する図であり、図４Ｂは液晶表示装置で演出表示画像を示す図である。なお、図４Ａ、図４Ｂは、３桁の数字合わせゲーム（ルーレット）を示す図である。ルーレットの数字が変化する部分を左側表示部分ＲＬ、中央表示部分ＲＣ、右側表示部分ＲＲとしたとき、図４Ａは、全ての表示部分ＲＬ、ＲＣ、ＲＲで数字が変化しているとき（通常状態とする）の表示画像である。そして、図４Ｂは、３桁の数字のうち、左右両側の表示部分ＲＬ、ＲＲの数字が「９」になっている状態（いわゆる、リーチ状態）のとき（演出表示状態とする）の表示画像の例である。また、図４Ｂの表示画像において輝度を高めた強調表示（以下の説明では、ハイライト表示と称する場合がある）部分を白色で表示している。また、図４Ｂにおいて、表示画像のＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３と対応する領域をＡ１～Ａ３として説明する。 The driving of the above-described backlight unit 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. 4A is a diagram showing a display image on the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an effect display image on the liquid crystal display device. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a three-digit number matching game (roulette). When the portions where the numbers of the roulette are changed are the left display portion RL, the central display portion RC, and the right display portion RR, FIG. 4A shows when the numbers change in all the display portions RL, RC, RR (normal state) Display image. 4B shows a display image when the number of the display parts RL and RR on the left and right sides of the three-digit number is “9” (so-called reach state) (the effect display state is set). It is an example. In addition, in the display image of FIG. 4B, a highlighted display (in the following description, sometimes referred to as highlight display) with increased brightness is displayed in white. In FIG. 4B, the areas corresponding to the LED blocks 321 to 323 of the display image will be described as A1 to A3.
　液晶表示装置Ａにおいて、画像表示領域に図４Ａに示すような、均一な輝度の表示画像Ｉｍ１を表示する場合、バックライトユニット１からは、均一な輝度分布の面状光が出射されており、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３は同じ発光輝度で発光している。このとき、ＬＥＤ駆動回路７は、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３の全てを同じＰＷＭ値（例えば、０．５）で発光制御している。 In the liquid crystal display device A, when displaying a display image Im1 having a uniform brightness as shown in FIG. 4A in the image display area, the backlight unit 1 emits planar light having a uniform brightness distribution, The LED blocks 321 to 323 emit light with the same light emission luminance. At this time, the LED drive circuit 7 controls the light emission of all the LED blocks 321 to 323 with the same PWM value (for example, 0.5).
　そして、第１導光部材２０１の受光面２２１には、ＬＥＤブロック３２１から出射した光が入射し、第２導光部材２０２の受光面２２２には、ＬＥＤブロック３２２から出射した光が入射し、さらに、第３導光部材２０３の受光面２２３には、ＬＥＤブロック３２３から出射した光が入射する。上述の通りＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３は同じ輝度で発光制御されているので、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３の出光面２１１、２１２、２１３から均一且つ同じ輝度の面状光が出射される。 The light emitted from the LED block 321 is incident on the light receiving surface 221 of the first light guide member 201, and the light emitted from the LED block 322 is incident on the light receiving surface 222 of the second light guide member 202. Further, the light emitted from the LED block 323 is incident on the light receiving surface 223 of the third light guide member 203. Since the LED blocks 321 to 323 are controlled to emit light with the same luminance as described above, the light emission surfaces 211, 212, and 213 of the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 are uniform and Planar light with the same luminance is emitted.
　バックライトユニット１から出射される面状光は、第１導光部材２０１の出光面２１１、第２導光部材２０２の出光面２１２、第３導光部材２０３の出光面２１３から出射される面状光を組み合わせたものであるので、バックライトユニット１から出射される面状光は均一な輝度分布を有し、均一な輝度の表示映像Ｉｍ１が表示される（図４Ａ参照）。このとき、ルーレットの左側表示部分ＲＬ、中央表示部分ＲＣ、右側表示部分ＲＲも同じ輝度となっている。 Planar light emitted from the backlight unit 1 is emitted from the light exit surface 211 of the first light guide member 201, the light exit surface 212 of the second light guide member 202, and the light exit surface 213 of the third light guide member 203. Therefore, the planar light emitted from the backlight unit 1 has a uniform luminance distribution, and a display image Im1 having a uniform luminance is displayed (see FIG. 4A). At this time, the left display portion RL, the center display portion RC, and the right display portion RR of the roulette have the same luminance.
　一方で、図４Ｂに示すルーレットのように、左側表示部分ＲＬ、右側表示部分ＲＲの数字が同じ数字（ここでは、「９」）で停止した場合、中央部分を強調することで中央表示部分ＲＣに観察者（ここでは、遊戯を行っている遊戯者）の注目を集めることができる。すなわち、図４Ｂに示す表示画像Ｉｍ２では、領域Ａ２を領域Ａ１、Ａ３よりも高輝度とする（領域Ａ２をハイライト表示する）ことで演出性を高めている。画像表示領域に図４Ｂに示すような、中央の領域Ａ２の輝度が高い演出表示画像Ｉｍ２を表示する場合、バックライトユニット１から出射される面状光は領域Ａ２に対応する部分の輝度が高い輝度分布を有している。 On the other hand, like the roulette shown in FIG. 4B, when the left display portion RL and the right display portion RR stop at the same number (here, “9”), the central display portion RC is emphasized by emphasizing the central portion. It is possible to attract the attention of the observer (here, the player who is playing). That is, in the display image Im2 shown in FIG. 4B, the stage A2 has higher brightness than the areas A1 and A3 (highlighted display of the area A2), thereby enhancing the performance. When an effect display image Im2 having a high brightness in the center area A2 as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed in the image display area, the planar light emitted from the backlight unit 1 has a high brightness in a portion corresponding to the area A2. It has a luminance distribution.
　すなわち、第２導光部材２０２から出射される面状光の輝度が、第１導光部材２０１及び第３導光部材２０３から出射される面状光の輝度よりも高くなる。例えば、ＬＥＤ駆動回路７は、ＬＥＤブロック３２２を高いＰＷＭ値（例えば、０．８）で、ＬＥＤブロック３２１、３２３を低いＰＷＭ値（例えば、０．４）で発光制御する。 That is, the luminance of the planar light emitted from the second light guide member 202 is higher than the luminance of the planar light emitted from the first light guide member 201 and the third light guide member 203. For example, the LED drive circuit 7 controls the light emission of the LED block 322 with a high PWM value (for example, 0.8) and the LED blocks 321 and 323 with a low PWM value (for example, 0.4).
　このとき、ＬＥＤブロック３２２は、ＬＥＤブロック３２１、３２３よりも高いのＰＷＭ値で発光制御されるので、ＬＥＤブロック３２２の発光輝度は、ＬＥＤブロック３２１、３２３の発光輝度よりも高くなる。ＬＥＤブロック３２１、３２２、３２３から出射される光は、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３それぞれの受光面２２１、２２２、２２３から入射するので、第２導光部材２０２の出光面２１２から出射される面状光の輝度が第１導光部材２０１の出光面２１１及び第３導光部材２０３の出光面２１３より出射される面状光の輝度よりも高くなる。 At this time, since the LED block 322 is controlled to emit light with a PWM value higher than that of the LED blocks 321, 323, the light emission luminance of the LED block 322 is higher than the light emission luminance of the LED blocks 321, 323. The light emitted from the LED blocks 321, 322, and 323 is incident from the light receiving surfaces 221, 222, and 223 of the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203, respectively. The brightness of the planar light emitted from the light exit surface 212 of the light guide member 202 is higher than the brightness of the planar light emitted from the light exit surface 211 of the first light guide member 201 and the light exit surface 213 of the third light guide member 203. Get higher.
　上述しているように、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２、第３導光部材２０３が独立していることで、ＬＥＤブロック３２１、ＬＥＤブロック３２２、ＬＥＤブロック３２３から出射された光が干渉しにくく、面状光の輝度の境界部分がぼやけにくい。これにより、図４Ｂに示すように、表示画像Ｉｍ２の領域Ａ１とＡ２、Ａ２とＡ３の境界部分が明確に現れ、面状光の輝度を変化させることによる視覚効果（演出効果）を高めることが可能である。 As described above, since the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 are independent, the light is emitted from the LED block 321, the LED block 322, and the LED block 323. It is difficult for light to interfere, and the boundary of luminance of planar light is not easily blurred. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the boundary portions of the areas A1 and A2 and A2 and A3 of the display image Im2 appear clearly, and the visual effect (production effect) by changing the luminance of the planar light can be enhanced. Is possible.
　ＬＥＤ駆動回路７では、ＰＷＭ値を一定のタイミングで切り替えて（例えば、ＰＷＭ値を０．４又は０．８に交互に切り替えて）ＬＥＤブロック３２２を発光制御することで、表示画像Ｉｍ２の領域Ａ２の輝度を一定のタイミングで切り替えることができる。これにより、観察者（遊戯者）に表示画像の領域Ａ２がフラッシュしているように視認させることができ、演出効果をさらに高めることも可能である。 In the LED drive circuit 7, the PWM value is switched at a constant timing (for example, the PWM value is alternately switched to 0.4 or 0.8), and the LED block 322 is controlled to emit light, whereby the region A2 of the display image Im2 Can be switched at a constant timing. Thereby, it is possible to make an observer (player) visually recognize that the area A2 of the display image is flashing, and it is possible to further enhance the effect.
　また、ＬＥＤ駆動回路７を用いることで、輝度が高い領域が移動するような演出表示を行うことも可能である。例えば、ＬＥＤ駆動回路７は、ＬＥＤブロック３２１をＰＷＭ値（０．８）で発光させ、ＬＥＤブロック３２２、３２３をＰＷＭ値（０．４）で発光させる。そして、一定の時間が経過するごとに、ＬＥＤ駆動回路７は、ＬＥＤブロック３２２、ＬＥＤブロック３２３の順に、ＰＷＭ値（０．４）からＰＷＭ値（０．８）に切り替えて発光制御する。なお、それまで、ＰＷＭ値（０．８）であったＬＥＤブロックをＰＷＭ値（０．４）で発光制御する。また、ＬＥＤブロック３２３をＰＷＭ値（０．８）で発光制御した後、一定時間が経過すると、再度、ＬＥＤブロック３２１をＰＷＭ値（０．８）で発光制御する。 Further, by using the LED drive circuit 7, it is possible to perform an effect display in which a region with high luminance moves. For example, the LED drive circuit 7 causes the LED block 321 to emit light with a PWM value (0.8), and causes the LED blocks 322 and 323 to emit light with a PWM value (0.4). Then, every time a certain time elapses, the LED drive circuit 7 switches the PWM value (0.4) to the PWM value (0.8) in order of the LED block 322 and the LED block 323, and performs light emission control. The light emission control of the LED block having the PWM value (0.8) until then is performed with the PWM value (0.4). Further, after the LED block 323 is controlled to emit light with the PWM value (0.8), when a certain time elapses, the LED block 321 is controlled to emit light again with the PWM value (0.8).
　ＬＥＤ駆動回路７が、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３に供給する電流を上述のように制御することで、ＬＥＤブロック３２１から順に３２２、３２３を高輝度で発光させることができる。このことから、演出表示画像のハイライト表示が一定時間が経過するごとに、領域Ａ１、領域Ａ２、領域Ａ３の順に移動する。このように、ハイライト表示が移動することで、上述の演出表示状態よりもさらに演出性の高い視覚効果（演出効果）を得ることができる。 The LED drive circuit 7 controls the current supplied to the LED blocks 321 to 323 as described above, so that the LEDs 322 and 323 can be made to emit light with high luminance in order from the LED block 321. For this reason, the highlight display of the effect display image moves in the order of the region A1, the region A2, and the region A3 every time a predetermined time elapses. As described above, the highlight display moves, so that it is possible to obtain a visual effect (production effect) with higher performance than the above-described production display state.
　なお、ＬＥＤブロック３２３がＰＷＭ値（０．８）で発光制御された後、一定時間が経過するごとに、ＬＥＤブロック３２２、ＬＥＤブロック３２１の順にＰＷＭ値（０．８）で発光制御することで、表示画像の高輝度の部分が左右に往復する視覚効果（演出効果）を得ることが可能である。また、これら以外にも、ＬＥＤブロック３２１～３２３の発光を制御することで、様々な視覚効果（演出効果、例えば、領域Ａ１～Ａ３をランダムにハイライト表示する等）を得ることができる。 In addition, after the LED block 323 is controlled to emit light with the PWM value (0.8), the light emission is controlled with the PWM value (0.8) in the order of the LED block 322 and the LED block 321 every time a certain time elapses. It is possible to obtain a visual effect (production effect) in which the high-luminance portion of the display image reciprocates left and right. In addition to these, by controlling the light emission of the LED blocks 321 to 323, various visual effects (production effects, for example, highlighting the areas A1 to A3 at random, etc.) can be obtained.
（第２の実施形態）
　本発明にかかるバックライトユニットの他の例について図面を参照して説明する。図５は本発明にかかるバックライトユニットの他の例の分解斜視図である。図５に示すバックライトユニット１Ｂは、導光板２Ｂが異なる以外は図３等に示すバックライトユニット１と同じ構成を有しており、実質上同じ部分には同じ符号を付すとともに、同じ部分の詳細な説明は省略する。また、図５に示すバックライトユニット１Ｂでは、光学シート群４は省略しているが、バックライトユニット１と同じ光学シート群４を備えている。 (Second Embodiment)
Another example of the backlight unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of another example of the backlight unit according to the present invention. The backlight unit 1B shown in FIG. 5 has the same configuration as that of the backlight unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 and the like except that the light guide plate 2B is different. Detailed description is omitted. Further, in the backlight unit 1B shown in FIG. 5, the optical sheet group 4 is omitted, but the same optical sheet group 4 as that of the backlight unit 1 is provided.
　第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３がケース１０に収納された状態のとき、第１導光部材２０１と第２導光部材２０２との互いに対向する面２３１、２３２に反射部２４１、２４２が形成されている。第３導光部材２０３と第２導光部材２０２との互いに対向する面２３３、２３２にも同様に反射部２４３、２４２が形成されている。すなわち、第１導光部材２０１と第３導光部材２０３には、第２導光部材２０２と隣り合う面（片方の面）に、第２導光部材２０２には、第１導光部材２０１、第３導光部材２０３と隣り合う面の両方に反射部が形成されている。なお、対向する面２３１、２３２、２３３は、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３の配列方向に面する側面と言うこともできる。 When the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 are housed in the case 10, the first light guide member 201 and the second light guide member 202 face each other. Reflecting portions 241 and 242 are formed at 231 and 232. Reflecting portions 243 and 242 are similarly formed on the surfaces 233 and 232 of the third light guide member 203 and the second light guide member 202 facing each other. That is, the first light guide member 201 and the third light guide member 203 have a surface (one surface) adjacent to the second light guide member 202, and the second light guide member 202 has the first light guide member 201. The reflection part is formed on both the surface adjacent to the third light guide member 203. Note that the opposing surfaces 231, 232, and 233 can also be referred to as side surfaces that face the arrangement direction of the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203.
　反射部は、例えば、アルミニウム等の反射率の高い金属膜（反射膜）を形成するようにしてもよいし、白色の顔料、染料等で着色するものであってもよい。また、反射率の高い反射部材（例えば、反射シート）を貼り付ける構成であってもよい。また、反射部が乱反射するような構成（表面に凹凸を有する構成等）であってもよい。 The reflective part may be formed with a highly reflective metal film (reflective film) such as aluminum, or may be colored with a white pigment, dye, or the like. Moreover, the structure which affixes a reflective member (for example, reflection sheet) with a high reflectance may be sufficient. Moreover, the structure (a structure etc. which has an unevenness | corrugation on the surface) that a reflection part irregularly reflects may be sufficient.
　第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３内部の光は、反射部２４１、２４２、２４３で反射される。これにより、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３の光が対向する面２３１、２３２、２３３から漏れ、その漏れ光による隣接する第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３の内部の光と干渉するのを抑制する効果がよりいっそう高くなる。 The light inside the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 is reflected by the reflecting portions 241, 242, and 243. Thereby, the light of the 1st light guide member 201, the 2nd light guide member 202, and the 3rd light guide member 203 leaks from the surfaces 231, 232, and 233 which counter, and the 1st light guide member 201 which adjoins by the leaked light, The effect of suppressing interference with the light inside the second light guide member 202 and the third light guide member 203 is further enhanced.
　第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３に反射部２４１、２４２、２４３が形成されていることで、図４Ｂに示すような、部分的に輝度の異なる表示画像を表示する場合において、輝度の境界をより明確にすることができる。これにより、観察者（遊戯者）の注意を引きたい部分を明確にすることが可能となり、視覚効果（演出効果）を高めた表示画像の表示が可能となる。 The reflective portions 241, 242, and 243 are formed on the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203, so that the display partially differs in luminance as shown in FIG. 4B. In the case of displaying an image, the luminance boundary can be made clearer. As a result, it is possible to clarify a portion where an observer (player) wants to draw attention, and display of a display image with enhanced visual effect (production effect) becomes possible.
　なお、バックライトユニット１Ｂにおいて、第１導光部材２０１及び第３導光部材２０３は第２導光部材２０２と対向する面のみに反射部２４１、２４３が形成されているが、第２導光部材２０２と対向する面と反対側の面にも反射部が形成されていてもよい。このように、左右両側面に反射部が形成されることで、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３が同じ構成となるので、製造の手間を省くことができる。また、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３の構造が同じであるので、どの部材としても利用することができ、組立時の設置場所の確認の手間を省くことが可能である。 In the backlight unit 1B, the first light guide member 201 and the third light guide member 203 are formed with the reflection portions 241 and 243 only on the surface facing the second light guide member 202. A reflective portion may also be formed on the surface opposite to the surface facing the member 202. Thus, since the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 have the same configuration by forming the reflection portions on both the left and right side surfaces, manufacturing labor is saved. Can do. Moreover, since the structure of the 1st light guide member 201, the 2nd light guide member 202, and the 3rd light guide member 203 is the same, it can utilize as any member and does the effort of confirmation of the installation place at the time of an assembly. It can be omitted.
　また、第１導光部材２０１と第２導光部材２０２の互いに対向する面の一方、第３導光部材２０３と第２導光部材２０２の互いに対向する面の一方に反射部が形成されていてもよい。例えば、第１導光部材２０１の第２導光部材２０２と対向する面２３１に反射部２４１が形成されている場合、第２導光部材２０２の第１導光部材２０１と対応する面２３２に反射部を形成しなくてもよい。このように構成した場合、第１導光部材２０１内の光は反射部２４１で反射され、第２導光部材２０２側に漏れにくい。一方で第２導光部材２０２内の光も反射部２４１で反射され第１導光部材２０１側に漏れにくい。このように、第１導光部材２０１又は第２導光部材２０２のどちらか一方に反射部を形成することで、各導光部材２０１、２０２からの光の漏れを抑えることができる。なお、第２導光部材２０２と第３導光部材２０３との間も同様である。 In addition, a reflective portion is formed on one of the mutually facing surfaces of the first light guide member 201 and the second light guide member 202 and on one of the mutually facing surfaces of the third light guide member 203 and the second light guide member 202. May be. For example, when the reflection part 241 is formed on the surface 231 facing the second light guide member 202 of the first light guide member 201, the surface 232 corresponding to the first light guide member 201 of the second light guide member 202 is formed. The reflection part may not be formed. When configured in this way, the light in the first light guide member 201 is reflected by the reflecting portion 241 and hardly leaks to the second light guide member 202 side. On the other hand, the light in the second light guide member 202 is also reflected by the reflecting portion 241 and hardly leaks to the first light guide member 201 side. In this way, by forming the reflection portion on either the first light guide member 201 or the second light guide member 202, leakage of light from each light guide member 201, 202 can be suppressed. The same applies to the second light guide member 202 and the third light guide member 203.
　このように、異なる導光部材において対向する面の一方にのみ反射部を形成するので、反射部を形成するための手間と時間を省くことができる。なお、異なる導光部材と向かい合う面の一方に反射部を形成する場合であっても、各導光部材で同じ側（例えば、正面から見て右側）に反射部を形成することで、導光部材２０１、２０２、２０３の構成を統一することが可能である。 Thus, since the reflection part is formed only on one of the opposing surfaces in different light guide members, it is possible to save labor and time for forming the reflection part. Even when the reflective part is formed on one of the surfaces facing the different light guide members, the light guide member is formed by forming the reflective part on the same side (for example, the right side when viewed from the front). It is possible to unify the configurations of the members 201, 202, and 203.
　なお、本実施形態では、各導光部材の境界部分で光を反射させるものを例に挙げているが、反射部に代えて、各導光部材から漏れる光を吸収するような光吸収部としてもよい。この場合、導光部材から漏れる光を吸収するので隣の導光部材に光が漏れるのを抑制することができる。光吸収部として、例えば、表面に黒色の顔料又は染料を塗布して構成するものを挙げることができる。 In addition, in this embodiment, although what reflects light in the boundary part of each light guide member is mentioned as an example, it replaces with a reflection part, and is used as a light absorption part which absorbs the light which leaks from each light guide member. Also good. In this case, since light leaking from the light guide member is absorbed, it is possible to prevent light from leaking to the adjacent light guide member. As a light absorption part, what comprises and coat | covers a black pigment or dye on the surface can be mentioned, for example.
（第３の実施形態）
　本発明にかかるバックライトユニットのさらに他の例について図面を参照して説明する。図６は本発明にかかるバックライトユニットのさらに他の例の分解斜視図である。図６に示すバックライトユニット１Ｃは、ケース１０Ｃの形状が異なる以外は、図１に示すバックライトユニット１と同じ構成を有しており、実質上同じ部分には同じ符号を付すとともに、同じ部分の詳細な説明は省略する。また、図６に示すバックライトユニット１Ｃでは、光学シート群４は省略しているが、バックライトユニット１と同じ光学シート群４を備えている。 (Third embodiment)
Still another example of the backlight unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of still another example of the backlight unit according to the present invention. The backlight unit 1C shown in FIG. 6 has the same configuration as that of the backlight unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 except that the shape of the case 10C is different. The detailed description of is omitted. Further, in the backlight unit 1 </ b> C illustrated in FIG. 6, the optical sheet group 4 is omitted, but the same optical sheet group 4 as that of the backlight unit 1 is provided.
　バックライトユニット１Ｃのケース１０Ｃには、第１導光部材２０１と第２導光部材２０２との間を仕切る第１仕切り部材１０１と、第２導光部材２０２と第３導光部材２０３との間を仕切る第２仕切り部材１０２とを備えている。第１仕切り部材１０１及び第２仕切り部材１０２は、ケース１０Ｃと一体に形成されており、ケース１０Ｃの底面より突出した板状の部材である。 The case 10 </ b> C of the backlight unit 1 </ b> C includes a first partition member 101 that partitions the first light guide member 201 and the second light guide member 202, and a second light guide member 202 and a third light guide member 203. And a second partition member 102 that partitions the space. The first partition member 101 and the second partition member 102 are formed integrally with the case 10C, and are plate-like members that protrude from the bottom surface of the case 10C.
　すなわち、第１導光部材２０１は、ケース１０Ｃの外周より突出した側壁と第１仕切り部材１０１とに四方を囲まれるようにケース１０Ｃの内部に配置される。第２導光部材２０２は第１仕切り部材１０１と第２仕切り部材１０２及びケース１０Ｃの側壁とに四方を囲まれるようにケース１０Ｃの内部に配置される。また、第３導光部材２０３はケース１０Ｃの側壁と第２仕切り部材１０２とに四方を囲まれるようにケース１０Ｃの内部に配置される。 That is, the first light guide member 201 is disposed inside the case 10C so as to be surrounded on all sides by the side wall protruding from the outer periphery of the case 10C and the first partition member 101. The second light guide member 202 is disposed inside the case 10C so as to be surrounded on all sides by the first partition member 101, the second partition member 102, and the side wall of the case 10C. The third light guide member 203 is disposed inside the case 10C so as to be surrounded on all sides by the side wall of the case 10C and the second partition member 102.
　第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３を上述したように、ケース１０Ｃに配置することで、各導光部材から漏れる光を第１仕切り部材１０１又は第２仕切り部材１０２で遮断することができる。これにより、演出表示状態のときの表示画像の輝度が変わる部分の境界が明確になり、視覚効果（演出効果）を高めることができる。また、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３をケース１０Ｃに配置するだけでよく、導光部材及びバックライトユニット１Ｃの製造／組み立てにかかる手間を省くことが可能である。 As described above, the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 are arranged in the case 10 </ b> C so that light leaking from each light guide member can be separated from the first partition member 101 or the second light guide member 101. It can be blocked by the partition member 102. Thereby, the boundary of the part where the brightness of the display image changes in the effect display state is clarified, and the visual effect (effect effect) can be enhanced. Further, the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 need only be arranged in the case 10C, and the labor for manufacturing / assembling the light guide member and the backlight unit 1C can be saved. Is possible.
　なお、第１仕切り部材１０１及び第２仕切り部材１０２の両面が（例えば、表面に反射率の高い金属膜が形成されている、白色の部材である等）の反射部として形成されていてもよい。また、第１仕切り歩合１０１及び第２仕切り部材１０２の両面が光を吸収する光吸収部（例えば、黒色の板部材）として形成されていてもよい。 In addition, both surfaces of the first partition member 101 and the second partition member 102 may be formed as reflective portions (for example, a metal film having a high reflectance is formed on the surface, or a white member). . Moreover, both surfaces of the 1st partition rate 101 and the 2nd partition member 102 may be formed as a light absorption part (for example, black board member) which absorbs light.
　また、バックライトユニット１Ｃでは、第１仕切り部材１０１及び第２仕切り部材１０２がケース１０Ｃと一体に形成されているが、これに限定されるものではなく、第１仕切り部材１０１及び（又は）第２仕切り部材１０２がケースと別体で形成され、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２、第３導光部材２０３の間に、第１仕切り部材１０１及び第２仕切り部材１０２を挿入するようにしてもよい。 In the backlight unit 1C, the first partition member 101 and the second partition member 102 are formed integrally with the case 10C. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first partition member 101 and / or the second partition member 102 are not limited thereto. The two partition members 102 are formed separately from the case, and the first partition member 101 and the second partition member 102 are inserted between the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203. You may make it do.
（第４の実施形態）
　本発明にかかるバックライトユニットの他の例について図面を参照して説明する。図７は本発明にかかるバックライトユニットの他の例を示す分解斜視図であり、図８は図７に示すバックライトユニットのブロック図である。バックライトユニット１Ｄは、光源３が異なる以外は図３に示すバックライトユニット１と同じ構成を有しており、実質上同じ部分には同じ符号を付すとともに、同じ部分の詳細な説明は省略する。また、図７に示すバックライトユニット１Ｂでは、光学シート群４は省略しているが、バックライトユニット１と同じ光学シート群４を備えている。また、図８に示すバックライトユニットを用いたときの演出表示状態の表示画像を図９Ａ及び図９Ｂに示す。 (Fourth embodiment)
Another example of the backlight unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the backlight unit according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the backlight unit shown in FIG. The backlight unit 1D has the same configuration as the backlight unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 except that the light source 3 is different, and substantially the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description of the same parts is omitted. . In the backlight unit 1B shown in FIG. 7, the optical sheet group 4 is omitted, but the same optical sheet group 4 as that of the backlight unit 1 is provided. Further, FIGS. 9A and 9B show display images in the effect display state when the backlight unit shown in FIG. 8 is used.
　図７に示すように、光源３は複数個（ここでは６個）のＬＥＤ３１を含む６個のＬＥＤブロック３３１～３３６を備えている。光源３において、ＬＥＤブロック３３１、３３２からの光は第１導光部材２０１、ＬＥＤブロック３３３、３３４からの光は第２導光部材２０２、ＬＥＤブロック３３５、３３６からの光は第３導光部材２０３、それぞれに入射される。また、ＬＥＤブロック３３１～３３６のアノード側は共通のアノード配線ＡＮを介してＬＥＤ駆動回路７に接続されており、カソード側はそれぞれ独立したカソード配線Ｋ１～Ｋ６を介してＬＥＤ駆動回路７に接続されている。ＬＥＤ駆動回路７は、ＬＥＤブロック３３１～３３６に電流を供給する回路であり、電流の供給方法については、第１の実施形態で説明したものと同じであり、具体的な説明は省略する。 As shown in FIG. 7, the light source 3 includes six LED blocks 331 to 336 including a plurality of (here, six) LEDs 31. In the light source 3, the light from the LED blocks 331 and 332 is the first light guide member 201, the light from the LED blocks 333 and 334 is the second light guide member 202, and the light from the LED blocks 335 and 336 is the third light guide member. 203, respectively. The anode sides of the LED blocks 331 to 336 are connected to the LED driving circuit 7 via a common anode wiring AN, and the cathode sides are connected to the LED driving circuit 7 via independent cathode wirings K1 to K6, respectively. ing. The LED drive circuit 7 is a circuit that supplies current to the LED blocks 331 to 336, and the current supply method is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a specific description thereof is omitted.
　ＬＥＤ駆動回路７は、通常状態のとき、共通のＰＷＭ値に基づいて、ＬＥＤブロック３３１～３３６を発光させる。これにより、ＬＥＤブロック３３１～３３６は同じ或いは略同じ輝度で発光し、液晶パネルユニット５の画像表示領域には、均一な輝度の表示画像Ｉｍ１が表示される（図４Ａ参照）。 In the normal state, the LED drive circuit 7 causes the LED blocks 331 to 336 to emit light based on the common PWM value. As a result, the LED blocks 331 to 336 emit light with the same or substantially the same luminance, and a display image Im1 with a uniform luminance is displayed in the image display area of the liquid crystal panel unit 5 (see FIG. 4A).
　演出表示状態のとき、ＬＥＤ駆動回路７は、ＬＥＤブロック３３３、３３４をＰＷＭ値（例えば、０．８）で発光制御し、ＬＥＤブロック３３１、３３２、３３５、３３６をＰＷＭ値（例えば、０．４）で発光制御する。これにより、ＬＥＤブロック３３３、３３４に供給される電流が、ＬＥＤブロック３３１、３３２、３３５、３３６に供給される電流のおよそ２倍となり、同様に輝度も約２倍となる。すなわち、第２導光部材２０２から出射される面状光の輝度が、第１導光部材２０１及び第３導光部材２０３から出射される面状光の輝度のおよそ２倍となり、液晶パネルユニット５の画像表示領域に表示される演出表示画像は図４Ｂに示す演出表示画像Ｉｍ２と略同じになる。 In the effect display state, the LED drive circuit 7 controls the light emission of the LED blocks 333 and 334 with a PWM value (for example, 0.8), and the LED blocks 331, 332, 335, and 336 with a PWM value (for example, 0.4). ) To control the light emission. As a result, the current supplied to the LED blocks 333 and 334 is approximately twice the current supplied to the LED blocks 331, 332, 335, and 336, and the luminance is also approximately doubled. That is, the luminance of the planar light emitted from the second light guide member 202 is approximately twice the luminance of the planar light emitted from the first light guide member 201 and the third light guide member 203, and the liquid crystal panel unit The effect display image displayed in the image display area 5 is substantially the same as the effect display image Im2 shown in FIG. 4B.
　また、ＬＥＤブロック３３３、３３４に供給する電流のＰＷＭ値を一定のタイミングで切り替える（例えば、ＰＷＭ値を０．４と０．８に切り替える）ことで、演出表示状態のときの演出表示画像Ｉｍ２の領域Ａ２を一定のタイミングでフラッシュさせることができる。これにより、観察者（遊戯者）の注目を引きやすく視覚効果（演出効果）を高めることが可能である。なお、演出表示画像Ｉｍ２の領域Ａ２をフラッシュさせるとき、ＬＥＤブロック３３３、３３４に供給する電流値は一定となっている。 In addition, by switching the PWM value of the current supplied to the LED blocks 333 and 334 at a constant timing (for example, switching the PWM value between 0.4 and 0.8), the effect display image Im2 in the effect display state is displayed. The area A2 can be flushed at a constant timing. Thereby, it is possible to easily attract the attention of the observer (player) and enhance the visual effect (production effect). Note that when the area A2 of the effect display image Im2 is flashed, the current value supplied to the LED blocks 333 and 334 is constant.
　次に、本実施形態のバックライトユニット独自の演出表示について説明する。バックライトユニット１Ｄでは、１つの導光部材に２個のＬＥＤブロックからの光が入射する構成となっている。すなわち、第１導光部材２０１には、ＬＥＤブロック３３１、３３２からの光が、第２導光部材２０２には、ＬＥＤブロック３３３、３３４からの光が、第３導光部材２０３には、ＬＥＤブロック３３５、３３６からの光がそれぞれ入光する構成となっている。 Next, description will be given of the display effect unique to the backlight unit of the present embodiment. The backlight unit 1D is configured such that light from two LED blocks enters one light guide member. That is, the light from the LED blocks 331 and 332 is input to the first light guide member 201, the light from the LED blocks 333 and 334 is input to the second light guide member 202, and the LED is input to the third light guide member 203. Light from the blocks 335 and 336 is incident on each of the blocks.
　そこで、表示画像の領域を細分化し、領域Ａ１のＬＥＤブロック３３１からの光に対応する部分を領域Ａ１１、ＬＥＤブロック３３２からの光に対応する部分をＡ１２とする。同様に領域Ａ２も領域Ａ２１、Ａ２２に、領域Ａ３も領域Ａ３１、Ａ３２に分割して説明する。例えば、領域Ａ２の輝度を領域Ａ１、Ａ３よりも高く表示（ハイライト表示）している状態において、さらに領域Ａ２に注目を集めるために、領域Ａ２内の領域Ａ２１と領域Ａ２２の輝度を交互に変更することで、さらに視覚効果（演出効果）を高めることが可能である。 Therefore, the region of the display image is subdivided, and the portion corresponding to the light from the LED block 331 in the region A1 is referred to as region A11, and the portion corresponding to the light from the LED block 332 is referred to as A12. Similarly, the area A2 is divided into areas A21 and A22, and the area A3 is divided into areas A31 and A32. For example, in the state where the brightness of the area A2 is displayed higher than the areas A1 and A3 (highlight display), the brightness of the areas A21 and A22 in the area A2 are alternately changed in order to attract more attention to the area A2. By changing, it is possible to further enhance the visual effect (production effect).
　すなわち、ＬＥＤブロック３３３と３３４の輝度を所定のタイミングで切り換えることで、表示画像Ｉｍ３の領域Ａ２に更なる演出効果を与えることができる。例えば、左側のＬＥＤブロック３３３にＰＷＭ値（０．８）で発光させ、右側のＬＥＤブロック３３４を０．６で発光させる。そして、所定のタイミングで互いのＰＷＭ値が切り替えるように発光制御を行われることで、第２導光部材２０２には、左右で異なる輝度の光が入光し、出光面２１２より出射する面状光には、左右で輝度差が生じる。そして、その輝度を入れ替えているので、出光面２１２より出射する面状光の輝度が変化する。 That is, by switching the luminance of the LED blocks 333 and 334 at a predetermined timing, it is possible to give a further effect to the area A2 of the display image Im3. For example, the left LED block 333 is caused to emit light at a PWM value (0.8), and the right LED block 334 is caused to emit light at 0.6. Then, light emission control is performed so that the PWM values are switched at a predetermined timing, so that light having different luminances enters the second light guide member 202 and is emitted from the light exit surface 212. The light has a luminance difference between the left and right. And since the brightness | luminance is replaced | exchanged, the brightness | luminance of the planar light radiate | emitted from the light emission surface 212 changes.
　第２導光部材２０２では、ＬＥＤブロック３３３からの光とＬＥＤブロック３３４からの光が干渉する。これにより、表示画像Ｉｍ３の領域Ａ２１と領域Ａ２２との境界は領域Ａ１と領域Ａ２との境界ほど明確ではないが、表示画像Ｉｍ３の領域Ａ２１と領域Ａ２２で輝度が変化するので、観察者（遊戯者）の注目を集める視覚効果（演出効果）を発揮することができる。 In the second light guide member 202, the light from the LED block 333 interferes with the light from the LED block 334. As a result, the boundary between the region A21 and the region A22 of the display image Im3 is not as clear as the boundary between the region A1 and the region A2, but the luminance changes between the region A21 and the region A22 of the display image Im3. A visual effect (directing effect) that attracts the attention of a person).
　また、発光輝度の高いＬＥＤブロックを所定の周期で、ＬＥＤブロック３３１からＬＥＤブロック３３６に順次切り換えるように制御することで、図９Ｂに示すように、表示画像の輝度の高い部分を左から右に移動させることが可能である。このときも、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３内では、隣のＬＥＤブロックからの光が干渉するが、逆に輝度が切り替わる境界が明瞭でないことで、表示画像の高輝度部分が滑らかに移動しているように観察者（遊戯者）に視認させることができる。これにより、視覚効果（演出効果）を高めることが可能である。 In addition, by controlling the LED block with high emission luminance to be sequentially switched from the LED block 331 to the LED block 336 at a predetermined cycle, as shown in FIG. 9B, the high luminance portion of the display image is changed from left to right. It is possible to move. Also at this time, in the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203, the light from the adjacent LED block interferes, but conversely, the boundary where the luminance is switched is not clear. The viewer (player) can visually recognize the high-luminance portion of the display image as if it moves smoothly. Thereby, it is possible to enhance the visual effect (production effect).
　また、演出効果としては、上述に限定されるものではなく、ＬＥＤブロックの発光制御によってさらに多くの演出効果を有する表示（例えば、表示画像の高輝度部分をランダムで発生させる、高輝度部分が左右に往復する等）を行うことが可能である。 In addition, the effect is not limited to the above, and a display having more effect by controlling the light emission of the LED block (for example, a high-luminance portion that randomly generates a high-luminance portion of a display image is left and right). And so on).
　なお、本実施形態では、バックライトユニット１と同様の構成のバックライトユニット１Ｄとしているが、これに限定されるものではなく、バックライトユニット１Ｂ或いはバックライトユニット１Ｃと同じ構成としてもよい。 In this embodiment, the backlight unit 1D has the same configuration as that of the backlight unit 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same configuration as the backlight unit 1B or the backlight unit 1C may be used.
　また、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３のそれぞれに２個のＬＥＤブロックからの光が入射する構成としているが、これに限定されるものではなく、３個或いはそれ以上のＬＥＤブロックからの光が入射するようにしてもよい。また、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３と対応するＬＥＤブロックの個数は異なっていてもよく、その場合、第１導光部材２０１、第２導光部材２０２及び第３導光部材２０３が均一な面状光を出射できる構成であればよい。 Moreover, although it is set as the structure which the light from two LED blocks injects into each of the 1st light guide member 201, the 2nd light guide member 202, and the 3rd light guide member 203, it is not limited to this, You may make it the light from three or more LED blocks inject. The number of LED blocks corresponding to the first light guide member 201, the second light guide member 202, and the third light guide member 203 may be different. In this case, the first light guide member 201, the second light guide The member 202 and the third light guide member 203 may be configured to emit uniform planar light.
　上述の各実施形態において、バックライトユニットを用いた液晶表示装置は遊戯装置の表示部として用いられるものとして説明しているが、それに限定されるものではなく、情報家電、ノートＰＣ、携帯電話等の電子機器の表示部としても用いることができる。その場合、演出表示状態は、例えば、誤った入力をしたときや、何らかの不具合が発生したときに使用者に注意を喚起するための注意表示状態として用いることも可能である。 In each of the above-described embodiments, the liquid crystal display device using the backlight unit is described as being used as a display unit of a game device, but is not limited thereto, and is not limited to information appliances, notebook PCs, mobile phones, and the like. It can also be used as a display portion of electronic equipment. In that case, for example, the effect display state can be used as a caution display state for alerting the user when an incorrect input is made or when some trouble occurs.
　上述の各実施形態において、導光板が３個の導光部材を含む構成となっているが、これに限定されるものではなく、２個或いは４個以上の導光部材を含む構成となっていてもよい。また、上述の各実施形態において、導光板が同じ大きさ及び形状の導光部材を含む構成となっているが、これに限定されるものではなく、大きさ或いは形状が異なる導光部材を含む構成としてもよい。 In each of the above-described embodiments, the light guide plate includes three light guide members. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the light guide plate includes two or four or more light guide members. May be. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the light guide plate includes a light guide member having the same size and shape, but is not limited thereto, and includes light guide members having different sizes or shapes. It is good also as a structure.
　また、上述の各実施形態では、演出表示状態で、表示画像の所定の領域に対応するＬＥＤブロックの輝度を高めるものとして説明しているが、表示画像の所定の領域に対応するＬＥＤブロックの輝度を低くする制御を行うようにしてもよい。このように表示することで、表示画像の領域の相対的な輝度差によって、ハイライト表示、フラッシュ表示等十分な演出表示が可能であるとともに、ＬＥＤブロックの輝度を低下させるので消費電力を低減することが可能である。 Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, it is described that the brightness of the LED block corresponding to the predetermined area of the display image is increased in the effect display state. However, the brightness of the LED block corresponding to the predetermined area of the display image is described. You may make it perform control which lowers. By displaying in this way, sufficient effect display such as highlight display and flash display is possible due to the relative brightness difference between the regions of the display image, and the power consumption is reduced because the brightness of the LED block is lowered. It is possible.
　また、上述の実施形態では、本発明のバックライトユニットを用いる画像表示装置として液晶表示装置として説明しているが、これに限定されるものではなく、本発明にかかるバックライトユニットは透過型の画像表示装置に広く採用することが可能である。 In the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal display device is described as an image display device using the backlight unit of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the backlight unit according to the present invention is a transmissive type. It can be widely used in image display devices.
　以上、本発明の実施形態について説明したが、本発明はこの内容に限定されるものではない。また本発明の実施形態は、発明の趣旨を逸脱しない限り、種々の改変を加えることが可能である。 As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this content. The embodiments of the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.
　本発明にかかるバックライトユニット及び液晶表示装置は、情報家電、ノートＰＣ、携帯電話、遊戯装置等の電子機器の表示部として利用することが可能である。 The backlight unit and the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention can be used as a display unit of an electronic device such as an information appliance, a notebook PC, a mobile phone, or a game device.
１　バックライトユニット
２　導光板
２０１　第１導光部材
２０２　第２導光部材
２０３　第３導光部材
２１　出光面
２２　受光面
３　光源ユニット
３０　基板
３１　ＬＥＤ
３２１～３２３　ＬＥＤブロック
３３１～３３６　ＬＥＤブロック
４　光学シート群
５　液晶パネルユニット
７　ＬＥＤ駆動回路 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Backlight unit 2 Light guide plate 201 1st light guide member 202 2nd light guide member 203 3rd light guide member 21 Light-emitting surface 22 Light-receiving surface 3 Light source unit 30 Board | substrate 31 LED
321 to 323 LED block 331 to 336 LED block 4 Optical sheet group 5 Liquid crystal panel unit 7 LED drive circuit

Claims (11)

  1. 　複数のＬＥＤが直線状に配列されており、部分的な発光調整が可能な光源ユニットと、
    　前記光源ユニットからの光を受光面で受光し、出光面より面状光として出射する導光板とを有し、
    　前記導光板が、前記ＬＥＤの配列方向と同じ方向に並んで配列された複数個の導光部材を備えていることを特徴とするバックライトユニット。     A light source unit in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a straight line, and partial light emission adjustment is possible;
    A light guide plate that receives light from the light source unit on a light receiving surface and emits light as planar light from the light output surface;
    The backlight unit, wherein the light guide plate includes a plurality of light guide members arranged side by side in the same direction as the LED arrangement direction.
  2. 　前記光源は、一定数のＬＥＤごとにＬＥＤブロックに分割されており、
    　前記複数個の導光部材は、それぞれの受光面が、少なくとも１つの前記ＬＥＤブロックと対向するように形成されている請求項１に記載のバックライトユニット。     The light source is divided into LED blocks for a certain number of LEDs,
    2. The backlight unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of light guide members has a light receiving surface facing at least one of the LED blocks.
  3. 　前記導光部材は、配列方向に面する側面に反射部が形成されている請求項１又は請求項２に記載のバックライトユニット。 The backlight unit according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member has a reflection portion formed on a side surface facing the arrangement direction.
  4. 　前記反射部は隣り合って配置された導光部材の隣の導光部材と対向する側面に形成されている請求項３に記載のバックライトユニット。 The backlight unit according to claim 3, wherein the reflection portion is formed on a side surface facing a light guide member adjacent to a light guide member arranged adjacent to the light reflection member.
  5. 　前記導光部材は、配列方向に面する側面に光を吸収する光吸収部が形成されている請求項１又は請求項２に記載のバックライトユニット。 3. The backlight unit according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member has a light absorbing portion that absorbs light on a side surface facing in an arrangement direction.
  6. 　前記光吸収部は隣り合って配置された導光部材の隣の導光部材と対向する側面に形成されている請求項３に記載のバックライトユニット。 The backlight unit according to claim 3, wherein the light absorbing portion is formed on a side surface facing a light guide member adjacent to a light guide member disposed adjacent to the light absorption portion.
  7. 　前記隣り合って配列された導光部材の間に仕切り部材が配置される請求項１から請求項６のいずれかに記載のバックライトユニット。 The backlight unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a partition member is disposed between the light guide members arranged adjacent to each other.
  8. 　前記仕切り部材がバックライトユニットの外装であるケースと一体的に形成されている請求項７に記載のバックライトユニット。 The backlight unit according to claim 7, wherein the partition member is formed integrally with a case which is an exterior of the backlight unit.
  9. 　前記仕切り部材が前記導光部材の側面から漏れた光を反射する反射部を備えている請求項７又は請求項８に記載のバックライトユニット。 The backlight unit according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the partition member includes a reflection portion that reflects light leaked from a side surface of the light guide member.
  10. 　前記仕切り部材が前記導光部材の側面から漏れた光を吸収する光吸収部を備えている請求項７又は請求項８に記載のバックライトユニット。 The backlight unit according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the partition member includes a light absorbing portion that absorbs light leaked from a side surface of the light guide member.
  11. 　請求項１から請求項１０のいずれかに記載のバックライトユニットと、
    　前記バックライトユニットの正面に配置された液晶パネルユニットとを備えた液晶表示装置。     The backlight unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
    A liquid crystal display device comprising: a liquid crystal panel unit disposed in front of the backlight unit.
PCT/JP2012/059516 2011-04-12 2012-04-06 Backlight unit, and liquid crystal display device WO2012141097A1 (en)

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JP2003098545A (en) * 2001-09-20 2003-04-03 Sharp Corp Double-sided display type liquid crystal display device and portable electronic apparatus provided with the same
JP2007122971A (en) * 2005-10-26 2007-05-17 Sharp Corp Surface light source device and image display device using it
JP2009104911A (en) * 2007-10-24 2009-05-14 Aristo Engineering Pte Ltd Plane lighting system
JP2009152022A (en) * 2007-12-20 2009-07-09 Citizen Electronics Co Ltd Sheet-shaped light guide, operation panel lighting device and electronic device
WO2009144853A1 (en) * 2008-05-30 2009-12-03 シャープ株式会社 Illuminating device, display device and light guide plate

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003098545A (en) * 2001-09-20 2003-04-03 Sharp Corp Double-sided display type liquid crystal display device and portable electronic apparatus provided with the same
JP2007122971A (en) * 2005-10-26 2007-05-17 Sharp Corp Surface light source device and image display device using it
JP2009104911A (en) * 2007-10-24 2009-05-14 Aristo Engineering Pte Ltd Plane lighting system
JP2009152022A (en) * 2007-12-20 2009-07-09 Citizen Electronics Co Ltd Sheet-shaped light guide, operation panel lighting device and electronic device
WO2009144853A1 (en) * 2008-05-30 2009-12-03 シャープ株式会社 Illuminating device, display device and light guide plate

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