Backlight module and transparent display device comprising the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018239155-A1
Application number	US-201715556498-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 23, 2017
Priority date	Jul 15, 2016
Publication date	Aug 23, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a backlight module. The backlight module is configured for use in a transparent display device and comprises: an optical splitter; and a light source arranged at a side of the optical splitter and emitting light towards the optical splitter. The optical splitter is configured to split light emitted from the light source into a first light beam and a second light beam, wherein the first light beam is configured for supplying backlight, and the second light beam is configured for illuminating background behind the optical splitter. The present disclosure also relates to a transparent display device, comprising the above described backlight module; as well as an array substrate and a color film substrate arranged in front of the backlight module.

First claim

1 . A backlight module, configured for use in a transparent display device, and comprises:
an optical splitter; and a light source arranged at a side of the optical splitter and emitting light towards the optical splitter, wherein the optical splitter is configured to split light emitted from the light source into a first light beam and a second light beam, wherein the first light beam is configured for supplying backlight, and the second light beam is configured for illuminating background behind the optical splitter.

2 . The backlight module according to claim 1 , wherein
the optical splitter comprises a transflective film, wherein the first light beam comprises one and the second light beam comprises the other of: light emitted from the light source and then reflected by the transflective film; and light emitted from the light source and then transmitted by the transflective film.

3 . The backlight module according to claim 2 , wherein
the backlight module further comprises a transparent substrate, wherein the transflective film is arranged on a front surface or a rear surface of the transparent substrate.

4 . The backlight module according to claim 3 , wherein
the transparent substrate is wedge-shaped, wherein the transflective film is arranged on an oblique surface of the wedge-shaped transparent substrate.

5 . The backlight module according to claim 3 , wherein
the transparent substrate comprises two sub-substrates superimposed together, and the transflective film is arranged between the two sub-substrates.

6 . The backlight module according to claim 5 , wherein
the two sub-substrates are both wedge-shaped, wherein the two wedge-shaped sub-substrates are superimposed together with their oblique surfaces facing each other, and the transflective film is arranged between the oblique surfaces of the two wedge-shaped sub-substrates.

7 . The backlight module according to claim 3 , wherein
the transparent substrate is made of a transparent material.

8 . The backlight module according to claim 7 , wherein
the transparent material comprises glass or indium tin oxide (ITO).

9 . The backlight module according to claim 1 , wherein
the light source comprises a plurality of sub-light sources arranged at two sides of the optical splitter respectively.

10 . The backlight module according to claim 1 , wherein
the light source is arranged at a shorter side of the optical splitter.

11 . A transparent display device, comprising:
the backlight module according to claim 1 ; and an array substrate and a color filter substrate in front of the backlight module.

12 . The transparent display device according to claim 11 , wherein
the color filter substrate is arranged between the array substrate and the optical splitter of the backlight module.

13 . The transparent display device according to claim 12 , wherein
the color filter substrate is coated with a metal reflective film on a surface facing the optical splitter, wherein the metal reflective film at least partly covers a black matrix pattern.

14 . The transparent display device according to claim 13 , wherein
the metal reflective film completely covers the black matrix pattern.

15 . The transparent display device according to claim 13 , wherein
the metal reflective film has a thickness of 100-300 nm.

Assignees

• Boe Technology Group Co Ltd

Inventors

• Wang Xin
• Ni Pan
• Yang Fan
• Lu Yan

Classifications

• G02B27/106 Primary

  for splitting or combining a plurality of identical beams or images, e.g. image replication · CPC title

• G02B6/0023

  provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed between the light guide and the light source, or around the light source · CPC title

• G02F1/133615 Primary

  Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side · CPC title

• G02B6/0063 Primary

  for extracting light out both the major surfaces of the light guide · CPC title

• G02F1/133514

  Colour filters · CPC title