Display modules with direct-lit backlight units

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11874559-B2
Application number	US-202117519344-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 4, 2021
Priority date	Sep 23, 2021
Publication date	Jan 16, 2024
Grant date	Jan 16, 2024

Abstract

A display may have a pixel array such as a liquid crystal pixel array. The pixel array may be illuminated with backlight illumination from a direct-lit backlight unit. The backlight unit may include an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on a printed circuit board. The display may have a notch to accommodate an input-output component. Reflective layers may be included in the notch. The backlight may include a color conversion layer with a property that varies as a function of position. The light-emitting diodes may be covered by a slab of encapsulant with recesses in an upper surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device comprising:
a liquid crystal display panel;
a backlight unit that provides backlight for the liquid crystal display panel, wherein the backlight unit comprises:
an array of light-emitting diodes arranged in a light-emitting area, wherein the light-emitting area has a notch and wherein the notch has first and second opposing sides;
a first reflective layer that is formed on the first side of the notch; and
a second reflective layer that is formed on the second side of the notch; and

an input-output component that is formed in the notch between the first and second reflective layers.

2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises a housing, wherein the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight unit are formed in the housing, and wherein the electronic device includes first and second protrusions that extend from the housing.

3. The electronic device defined in claim 2 , wherein the first reflective layer includes a first opening, wherein the second reflective layer includes a second opening, wherein the first protrusion extends through the first opening, and wherein the second protrusion extends through the second opening.

4. The electronic device defined in claim 3 , wherein the backlight unit further comprises:
an optical film that is formed over the array of light-emitting diodes;
a third reflective layer that is formed on the optical film and that overlaps the first reflective layer; and
a fourth reflective layer that is formed on the optical film and that overlaps the second reflective layer.

5. The electronic device defined in claim 2 , wherein the backlight unit further comprises:
a plurality of optical films, wherein each one of the plurality of optical films has first and second respective openings that align with the first and second protrusions.

6. The electronic device defined in claim 1 , wherein the backlight unit further comprises:
first, second, and third optical films that are formed over the array of light-emitting diodes;
a first adhesive patch that is formed between the first and second optical films and that overlaps the first reflective layer;
a second adhesive patch that is formed between the first and second optical films and that overlaps the second reflective layer;
a third adhesive patch that is formed between the second and third optical films and that overlaps the first reflective layer and the first adhesive patch; and
a fourth adhesive patch that is formed between the second and third optical films and that overlaps the second reflective layer and the second adhesive patch.

7. The electronic device defined in claim 1 , wherein the backlight unit further comprises:
a bracket that overlaps the notch; and
foam that is interposed between the bracket and the liquid crystal display panel.

8. The electronic device defined in claim 7 , further comprising:
an optical film that is formed over the array of light-emitting diodes;
a first adhesive layer that is interposed between the bracket and the optical film; and
a second adhesive layer that is interposed between the bracket and the foam.

9. The electronic device defined in claim 7 , wherein the bracket has an opening that accommodates the input-output component.

10. An electronic device comprising:
a housing having a sidewall with an interior surface, wherein the interior surface has a first portion and a second portion;
a liquid crystal display panel in the housing; and
a backlight unit in the housing that provides backlight for the liquid crystal display panel, wherein the backlight unit comprises:
an array of light-emitting diodes;
a plurality of optical films that is formed over the array of light-emitting diodes, wherein an edge of the plurality of optical films is adjacent to the first portion of the interior surface of the sidewall and wherein the first portion has a lower reflectance than the second portion;
a substrate, wherein the array of light-emitting diodes is formed on the substrate;
electronic components that are formed along an edge of the substrate; and
a chassis having first and second orthogonal portions, wherein the liquid crystal display panel is mounted on the first portion of the chassis and wherein the second portion of the chassis extends between the plurality of optical films and the electronic components.

11. The electronic device defined in claim 10 , wherein the edge of the substrate is a first edge, wherein the substrate has a second edge opposite the first edge, wherein a notch is formed in the second edge, and wherein the electronic device includes an input-output component that is formed in the notch.

12. The electronic device defined in claim 10 , wherein the first portion has a reflectance that is between 35% and 45%.

13. The electronic device defined in claim 10 , wherein the liquid crystal display panel further comprises:
a thin-film transistor substrate; and
a conductive shielding ring that extends around a periphery of the thin-film transistor substrate.

14. The electronic device defined in claim 10 , further comprising:
a conductive trim between the housing and the liquid crystal display panel; and
conductive adhesive that attaches the conductive trim to the housing.

15. The electronic device defined in claim 10 , wherein the second portion of the interior surface of the sidewall comprises a metal material and wherein the first portion of the interior surface comprises a laser darkened portion of the metal material.

16. An electronic device comprising:
a lower housing;
a keyboard in the lower housing, wherein the lower housing has a high-rigidity portion;
an upper housing having a housing wall, wherein the upper housing is coupled to the lower housing by a hinge structure;
a display in the upper housing, wherein the display is parallel to the housing wall;
foam that is embedded in the housing wall, wherein the foam has a footprint that is aligned with the high-rigidity portion of the lower housing when the lower housing and the upper housing are parallel; and
a touchpad in the lower housing, wherein the high-rigidity portion has a first portion that extends along a lower edge of the keyboard, a second portion that extends orthogonal to the first portion along a left edge of the touchpad, and a third portion that extends orthogonal to the first portion along a right edge of the touchpad and wherein the footprint of the foam has a fourth portion that is aligned with the first portion, a fifth portion that is aligned with the second portion, and a sixth portion that is aligned with the third portion.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Jiao Meizi
• Spechler Joshua A
• Xiang Jie
• Luo Zhenyue
• Lee Chungjae
• Amoorezaei Morteza
• Liang Mengyang
• Zhu Xinyu
• Gu Mingxia
• Qi Jun
• Benson Eric L
• Yin Victor H
• Jeong Youchul
• Fang Xiang
• Li Yanming
• Lee Michael J
• Sbordone Marianna C
• Miller Ari P
• Cooper Edward J
• Sulkis Michael C
• Ferretti Francesco
• Mcfarland Seth G
• Morrison Mary M
• Vergo Eric N
• Chan Terence
• Guy Ian A
• Hendren Keith J
• Chandra Sunitha

Classifications

• G02F1/133611 Primary

  including means for improving the brightness uniformity · CPC title

• G02F1/13338

  Input devices, e.g. touch panels · CPC title

• G02F1/133514

  Colour filters · CPC title

• G02F1/133603

  with LEDs · CPC title

• G02F1/133605

  including specially adapted reflectors · CPC title