Lamp reflector for use in a backlight module and method for making the same

(54) LAMP REFLECTOR FOR USE IN A

BACKLIGHT MODULE AND METHOD FOR
MAKING THE SAME

(75) Inventors: Super Liao, Hsinchu (TW);

Tsung-Sheng Teng, Hsinchu (TW);
Tomohisa Tajiri, Hsinchu (TW)

(73) Assignee: AU Optronics Corp., Hsinchu (TW)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 11/738,777

(22) Filed: Apr. 23, 2007

(30) Foreign Application Priority Data

Dec. 22, 2006 (TW) 95148668 A

(51) Int. CI.

F21V 7/04 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 362/614; 362/620; 349/65

(58) Field of Classification Search 362/614,

362/617

See application file for complete search history.

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,392,199 A * 2/1995 Kashima et al 362/606

5,883,684 A * 3/1999 Millikan et al 349/65

6,123,430 A * 9/2000 Ono et al 362/608

6,572,236 B2 * 6/2003 Suzuki et al 362/600

6,935,766 B2 * 8/2005 Ato 362/633

A reflector for use in a backlight module, and a method for making the same are disclosed. The backlight module includes a light source and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a light-entry surface and a light-emitting surface, substantially normal to the light-entry surface. After the light-entry surface of the light guide plate receives the first portion of light emitted from the light source, the light is emitted out of the light-emitting surface via the inner portion of the light guide plate. The reflector comprises a body and a protruding structure. The body defines a space for receiving the light source. The body comprises a first end portion and a second end portion which define the opening. The light-entry surface of the light guide plate substantially faces the light source through the opening. The first end portion is disposed proximal to the light-emitting surface, whereas the second end portion is disposed distal to the light-emitting surface. In addition, the protruding structure is disposed on the first end portion and faces the second end portion so that the second portion of light emitted from the light source is scattered to the light guide plate through the protruding structure.

19 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets