Thin edge backlight with LEDS optically coupled to the back surface

摘要

A backlight includes a waveguide with a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned in cavities in the back surface in a center region of the waveguide. The back surface of the waveguide can be tapered from the center region to the edges so that the edges are thinner than the center region. Additionally, with the light emitting diodes in the center region of the waveguide, as opposed to along the edges, the bezel may be eliminated or at least minimized in height, e.g., 1 mm or less. Additionally, multiple waveguides may be used and configured in a “V” shape to minimize the bezel.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a plurality of light emitting diodes; and a waveguide configured to be a backlight for a display, the waveguide having a front surface from which light is emitted from the waveguide, a back surface that is opposite the front surface, four side edges between the front surface and the back surface, and a center region between the four side edges, the back surface comprising a flat portion at the center region and four inclined portions that taper from the flat portion to the four side edges, the center region having a first thickness between opposing areas of the front surface and the back surface, the four side edges having a second thickness less than the first thickness, the waveguide having a plurality of cavities in the back surface at the center region into which the plurality of light emitting diodes are inserted and optically coupled to the waveguide to serve as a light source for the waveguide, the back surface comprising pits to direct light upward and provide a uniform light emission over the front surface.