Encapsulated LED array and edge light guide device comprising such an LED array

摘要

This invention relates to structures for mounting LEDs, the structures being suitable for use in the manufacture of light guide devices. This invention also relates to light guide devices comprising the structures and methods of manufacture of the aforementioned. The light guide devices are suitable for use in a range of applications, particularly in connection with the backlighting of displays, for example, liquid crystal displays.

主权项

1. An edge-lit light guide device comprising:
an LED assembly wherein the LED assembly comprises an array of LEDs wherein the LEDs are mounted on electrical connecting structures and said LEDs are encapsulated in a transparent polymer wherein the transparent polymer forms a single non-imaging concentrator and said non-imaging concentrator is optically coupled to a core light guide layer, wherein the core light guide layer is sandwiched between inner surfaces of a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer, wherein a plurality of scattering structures is located at one or more of the following: at an interface between the first cladding layer and the core light guide layer, at an interface between the second cladding layer and the core light guide layer, and within the core light guide layer, wherein a series of microlenses is arranged on an outer surface of the first cladding layer, wherein the outer surface is opposite the inner surface of the first cladding layer, and wherein refractive indices of the microlenses and the core light guide layer are greater than refractive indices of the cladding layers.