| Backlight assembly and display device having the same -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Backlight assembly and display device having the sameBacklight assembly and display device having the same description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070183136, Backlight assembly and display device having the same. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2006-11058 filed on Feb. 6, 2006, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Technical Field [0003]The present invention relates to a backlight assembly and, more particularly, to a backlight assembly capable of improving optical characteristics and a display device having the backlight assembly. [0004]2. Discussion of the Related Art [0005]A display device can convert electrical format data from an information processing unit into a visible image to display the image. Examples of the display device include a cathode ray tube (CRT) type display device, a plasma display panel (PDP) device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and an electroluminescence (EL) display device. The LCD device, a type of flat panel display device, displays an image using electrical characteristics and optical characteristics of liquid crystal. The LCD device has characteristics such as being thin, lightweight, using a low driving voltage, and low power consumption. The LCD device is widely used in various fields. [0006]The LCD device includes an LCD panel displaying an image. The LCD panel does not generate light. Therefore, the LCD device can include a backlight assembly having a light source that provides light to the LCD panel. [0007]A light emitting diode (LED) has been employed as a light source of the backlight assembly. However, since conventional LEDs are expensive, manufacturing costs of the backlight assembly have increased. [0008]Also, since the LED corresponds to a point light source, a solution is needed for the LCD panel of the LCD device to have a uniform optical distribution. [0009]In addition, conventional LEDs having a predetermined volume increase the thickness of the LCD device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010]Embodiments of the present invention provide a backlight assembly capable of uniformizing an optical distribution and reducing a thickness, and a display device having the backlight assembly. [0011]A backlight assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a light source unit, a light guiding plate and an optical changing pattern. The light source unit includes a light source generating light, a first lens portion enclosing the light source and a second lens portion positioned on the first lens portion. The second lens portion has a concave shape at an upper face. The light guiding plate includes an upper face and a lower face positioned opposite the upper face. The light guiding plate has a groove formed on the lower face to enclose at least a portion of the light source unit. The light guiding plate guides the light generated from the light source unit. The optical path changing pattern is formed on the upper face of the light guiding plate. The optical path changing pattern faces the light source unit. [0012]For example, a side face of the first lens portion of the light source unit includes a curved portion. An outer side face of the second lens portion of the light source unit may have a truncated cone shape, and an inner side face of the second lens portion of the light source unit may have a cone shape. [0013]In an exemplary embodiment, the groove may include a curved portion toward the upper face of the light guiding plate. [0014]For example, the groove is defined by an inclined surface that is inclined to form an acute angle with respect to the lower face of the light guiding plate and a connection surface that extends from the inclined surface and is substantially in parallel with the lower face of the light guiding plate. [0015]Alternatively, the groove may be defined by a first face that extends from the lower face of the light guiding plate, a second face that extends from the first face and is inclined to form an obtuse angle with respect to the lower face of the light guiding plate and a third face that extends from the second face and protrudes toward the light source unit. The second face may include a curved portion toward the upper face of the light guiding plate, and the third face may correspond to the concave shape of the second lens portion. [0016]The optical path changing pattern may cover the light source unit. The backlight assembly may further include a reflective sheet disposed under the light guiding plate to reflect the light leaked from the light guiding plate, and a hole is formed through the reflective sheet corresponding to the light source unit. [0017]A display device, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a display unit and a backlight assembly. The display unit displays an image by using light. The backlight assembly provides the light to the display unit. The backlight assembly includes a light source unit, a light guiding plate and an optical path changing pattern. The light source unit includes a light source generating light, a first lens portion enclosing the light source and a second lens portion positioned on the first lens portion. The second lens portion has a concave shape at an upper face. The light guiding plate includes an upper face and a lower face positioned opposite the upper face. The light guiding plate has a groove enclosing at least a portion of the light source unit. The light guiding plate guides the light generated from the light source unit. The optical path changing pattern is formed on the upper face of the light guiding plate. The optical path changing pattern faces the light source unit. [0018]A light source unit is disposed in a groove that is formed on a lower face of a light guiding plate, thereby uniformizing an optical distribution of a backlight assembly having the light guiding plate and reducing a size of the backlight assembly. Also, an optical path changing pattern is formed on a portion of an upper face of the light guiding plate corresponding to the light source unit, thereby further uniformizing the optical distribution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019]Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be understood in more detail from the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0020]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a backlight assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading about Backlight assembly and display device having the same... Full patent description for Backlight assembly and display device having the same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Backlight assembly and display device having the same patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Backlight assembly and display device having the same or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Mirror image shielding structure Next Patent Application: Planar lighting device Industry Class: Illumination ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Backlight assembly and display device having the same patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.15891 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
