United States Patent [19]
`Nishio et al.
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 illlllllil 11111 111111 11111111 1111
`US005592332A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,592,332
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`[54] RENTICULAR LENS, SURFACE LIGHT
`SOURCE, AND LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY
`APPARATUS
`
`4,573,764
`4,730,897
`4,919,518
`
`3/1986 Bradley ................................... 348n86
`3/1988 McKechnie ............................. 359/452
`4/1990 Ogino ...................................... 359/457
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Toshikazu Nishio; Yoshiyuki
`Yamashita; Hiroyuki Amemiya;
`Michiko Takeuchi; Nobu Masubuchi,
`all of Tokyo, Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., Japan
`
`[21] App!. No.: 173,118
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Dec. 27, 1993
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Dec. 25, 1992
`Apr. 16, 1993
`Jun. 16, 1993
`
`[JP]
`[JP]
`[JP]
`
`Japan .................................... 4-358319
`Japan .................................... 5-112397
`Japan .................................... 5-168376
`
`[51]
`
`Int. CI.6
`
`........................... G02B 27/10; G02B 17100;
`G03B 21/60
`[52] U.S. CI . .......................... 359/619; 359/591; 359/621;
`359/455
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 359/455, 456,
`359/615, 619, 591, 625, 639, 640, 707,
`620,621,622,626,627,628,454,459,
`592, 597
`
`Primary Examiner-Georgia Y. Epps
`Assistant Examiner-Ricky Mack
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Parkhurst, Wendel & Burr, L.L.P.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A lenticular lens has a light transmitting substrate and a
`plurality of lens elements formed on the light transmitting
`substrate. The lens elements are defined in such a way that
`ridges thereof are aligned in parallel with each other,
`wherein 30o~81O%~100° and R~20%, where 810% is a
`diffusing angle range with respect to normal of the one
`surface in the case that when light is entered from the
`opposite surface and transmitted from the one surface, the
`intensity of the light transmitted is equal to or more than
`10% of the intensity of the light transmitted in a peak
`direction of a main lobe; and R is the ratio of side lobes to
`main lobe. The intensity of side lobes which causes light loss
`and light stray can be remarkably reduced. Light can be
`equally and isotropically focused on in a predetermined
`diffusing angle range.
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,432,010
`
`211984 Oguino .................................... 348n86
`
`62 Claims, 47 Drawing Sheets
`
`~94
`
`132
`
`132-~~--~--~--~-Y
`
`94"'-
`
`132
`
`Sony Corp. Exhibit 1008
`
`SONY_000444
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`10
`~
`
`FIG.
`
`FIG. 2
`
`SONY_000445
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`N
`
`LI = L2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`N
`
`FIG. 4
`
`SONY_000446
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`/
`
`/
`
`8'0%
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`FIG. 5
`
`N (NORMAL)
`
`INTENSITY = Ii ( e)
`
`....
`
`..
`
`. ........... ' ~:.' .. , . ': :. ~ ..'
`....... ',:. ',' .. :' .. -', ..
`.
`.
`.-
`.. ',
`
`FIG. 6
`
`SONY_000447
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`FIG.78
`
`FIG. SA
`
`FIG. 88
`
`10
`
`20
`
`10
`
`20
`
`20
`
`10
`
`20
`
`10
`
`SONY_000448
`
`

`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`u.s. Patent
`~IO
`,
`"
`"
`"
`"
`".
`"
`20
`
`5,592,332
`
`Sheet 5 of 47
`
`FIG. 9A
`
`~IO
`/
`/
`"
`"
`"
`"
`20'
`
`/
`
`/
`
`FIG. 98
`
`~20'
`"
`,
`"
`"-
`/ ~IO
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`"/
`
`/
`
`FIG. IDA
`
`/ ~20'
`"
`/
`/
`/
`/
`/
`/
`10
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`FIG. lOB
`
`SONY_000449
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`o
`
`II
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`o o
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`SONY_000450
`
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`
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`o •
`
`100
`
`19(1)
`
`50
`I
`
`700(+2
`~810%)
`8,00;"= 140°
`
`60°
`
`(+"2)Z8H =74°
`
`37° 8H
`
`~ I i=O
`~8)
`INCIDENT ANGLE: = 0
`
`30°
`
`I
`
`~~
`
`~ANgLE~
`
`~ ?-....
`
`8-[~J
`t
`
`MAIN DIRECTION = NORMAL DIRECTION
`
`FIG. 12
`----DATA -,;;...
`
`IO (8)
`
`0
`
`50
`I
`
`100
`
`-90°1
`
`-2700
`( -
`810%)
`
`-60°
`
`-37°
`2
`
`(_ 8H)
`
`TRANSMITTED LIGHT
`MEASUREMENT OF
`
`SONY_000451
`
`

`
`N
`~
`~
`-..
`N
`\C
`Ul
`-..
`Ul
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`00
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`0°
`f¢=o
`~ APEX ANGLE = 900
`
`2
`
`8H
`
`i = 0
`
`INCIDENT ANGLE:
`
`tY rO( 8)
`
`8100/0"
`~1i~ft'::820
`0(8~/09
`8H=70
`°
`
`1900
`
`50
`
`SIDE ROBE
`
`0
`
`~ nl1 T IJ. ----(INTENSITY OF SIDE ROBES X 100 = 26 % )
`L--------~------~~------~~~~~~~~~~~~~t~,EFKm~~~,~----~~·------~IOO
`
`50
`I
`
`100
`
`-90°1
`
`FIG. 13
`
`R INTENSITY OF MAIN ROBE
`
`42
`
`-60°
`
`(_ 8,0%r36°
`
`-420
`
`2
`
`~ANGLE~
`
`o
`8 [0]
`t
`
`MAIN DIRECTION = NORMAL DIRECTION
`
`(-""2) -30°
`
`8H
`
`TRANSMITTED LIGHT
`MEASUREMENT OF
`
`SONY_000452
`
`

`
`N
`W
`"-W
`N
`\C
`til
`"-
`til
`
`:!:l
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`
`~
`•
`rJl
`
`o •
`
`190°
`
`100
`
`FIG. 14
`~~ nATA ~ INTENSITY OF SIDE ROBES x 100 -13 % )
`
`R ( INTENSITY OF MAIN ROBE
`
`50
`~\ \
`
`~\...SIDE ROBE
`
`360(+ BH)...p" HALF-VALUE ANGLE =73°
`
`4810%=90°
`
`45°(+ 2"/
`2
`
`BIO%)
`
`APEX ANGLE a = 100
`°
`
`~ rO(B)
`
`INCIDENT ANGLE: i = 0
`
`~ ,0
`
`, 30°
`,
`
`o
`~
`ANGLE~
`B [0]
`t
`
`MAIN DIRECTION = NORMAL DIRECTION
`
`50
`I
`
`100
`1
`
`-90
`
`0
`
`-60°
`
`-45°
`-y)
`(
`Blool -37°
`
`(_ BH 2) -30°
`
`TRANSMITTED LIGHT
`MEASUREMENT OF
`
`SONY_000453
`
`

`
`N
`t w
`• N C'W
`~ \C
`0-.
`2 til
`
`'I
`~
`g,
`~ .... Q
`rJJ. =(cid:173) rD
`
`FIG. 15
`
`1900
`
`100
`
`50
`
`~ ~ R=6%
`0 ~ SIDE ROBE
`
`~~ \
`
`50
`
`100
`
`-90°1
`
`....
`~
`
`,,'I
`
`'I
`\C
`\C
`
`~ = f""f"
`
`f""f"
`~
`~
`•
`
`L! • rJ).
`
`~=980
`
`60°
`
`480(+80%)
`
`40° (t ~ ) ~ HALF -VALUE ANGLE = 800
`
`-60°
`
`500
`
`(_ 8~o/") -40°
`
`(_ 8H)
`
`2
`
`~ ,0
`18 t;YrO(8)
`
`I
`
`30°
`
`INCIDENT ANGLE: i = 0
`
`~ANGLE~
`
`o
`8 [0]
`t
`
`MAIN DIRECTION = NORMAL DIRECTION
`
`-300
`
`TRANSMITTED LIGHT
`MEASUREMENT OF
`
`SONY_000454
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 11 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`o o
`<D
`
`o o
`_-----,(J) 0 o
`
`o
`LD
`
`is
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`0:: ~~ (.9 0 f-----+------+---~.,.._:...+_---.::::::::::lI or- --
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`
`SONY_000455
`
`

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`d •
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`
`100
`
`50
`I
`
`FIG. 17
`
`~ DATA --
`
`13°(8)
`
`. ~J¥I?2:::::;:;;"---
`
`0
`
`50
`I
`
`100
`
`-900 I
`
`60°
`
`-600
`
`30°
`
`i = 0
`
`'7' I30( 8 )
`INCIDENT ANGLE:
`
`8" I
`
`I
`
`~ANGLE~
`
`a
`8 [0]
`t
`
`MAIN DIRECTION = NORMAL DIRECTION
`
`-300
`
`TRANSMITTED LIGHT
`MEASUREMENT OF '
`
`SONY_000456
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 13 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`10
`20
`
`/30
`
`4=
`
`t
`
`t
`
`t
`
`=t3
`
`\
`32
`
`31
`
`FIG. 18
`
`SONY_000457
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 14 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`FIG. 19A
`
`I~ (8)
`
`-90 0
`
`FIG. 19 B
`
`FIG. 19C
`
`SONY_000458
`
`

`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 15 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`u.s. Patent
`« o
`
`N
`•
`
`-L
`
`L
`
`o
`N
`•
`
`LL
`
`~I
`
`SONY_000459
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 16 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`FIG.218
`
`42
`
`NORMAL
`
`-8
`
`FI G. 21D
`
`0 0 (NORMAL DIRECTION)
`+8
`
`/
`
`/
`
`-900 ----~------+90°
`
`SONY_000460
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 17 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`+63 0
`"
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`1 i ( 8)
`
`8=-900~--------~~~~------------~8=+90°
`
`FIG. 22A
`
`8 =0°
`
`B
`
`8=-90°
`
`A
`
`8 =+90°
`
`FIG. 228
`
`B'
`
`MAIN ROBE
`
`SIDE ROBE
`
`8=-90°
`
`8=+90°
`
`FIG. 22C
`
`SONY_000461
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 18 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`FIG. 23A ==41 428
`
`FIG. 238
`
`FIG. 23C
`
`43
`
`6~~2?Gia=:~A"
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`43
`
`FIG. 230
`
`0 0
`0 0
`0
`
`0
`
`FIG. 23E
`
`42 A"
`
`SONY_000462
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 19 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`(XXlV B)
`l
`
`FIG.24A
`
`52
`
`IE P
`
`"1
`51~lD
`
`xO
`
`53
`
`FIG. 248
`
`~-
`
`52
`
`50'
`
`FIG. 25
`
`SONY_000463
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 20 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`,..,,...-------' .........
`//
`I 52 0
`x
`
`r2
`
`' ,52 a
`\
`\
`
`FIG. 26A
`
`52
`
`FIG. 268
`
`52b
`~
`
`~51
`
`520
`~
`
`FIG. 26C
`
`SONY_000464
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 21 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`R6
`
`R5
`
`R7
`
`R3
`
`R9
`
`R8
`RII
`
`52-i
`
`50
`
`R RAY
`
`x
`
`13
`
`tL
`j100
`INCIDENT RAYS ~ l
`REFRACTIVE
`I \. NORMAL N ON
`/
`FLAT SURFACE
`~
`
`REFRACTIVE INDEX n I :0 1.5
`
`INDEX n2 = 1.0
`
`FIG. 27
`
`SONY_000465
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 22 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`y
`
`R4
`
`+r
`+x
`------~+-------------+_----_,----~~--------~x
`MEDIUM 2
`\
`\
`\
`\
`\
`\
`
`MEDIUM i
`
`n2 = 1
`
`\
`
`'\
`'\
`"'-
`
`~nl=1.5 "
`
`"-
`
`-0
`
`-r
`
`I
`
`FIG. 28
`
`SONY_000466
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 23 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`y
`
`R9.5
`
`--~r---~--------------~-------------.----~~~--~~x
`/ '
`"(cid:173)
`"(cid:173)
`
`/
`
`"-
`
`"-
`
`"-
`
`"-
`
`"-
`-rsin8c
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`/
`NORMAL
`
`"-
`
`"-
`
`"
`NORMAL
`
`FIG. 29
`
`SONY_000467
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 24 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`/
`
`FIG. 30
`
`SONY_000468
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 25 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`o en
`
`0
`I"-
`
`0
`(()
`
`-0 .......
`
`-r
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`
`SONY_000469
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 26 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`FIG.32A
`
`FIG.32B
`
`50
`
`60
`
`50
`
`60
`
`FIG.33A /
`
`/
`
`,
`
`/
`
`,
`
`/
`
`,
`
`,
`60' 50
`
`'
`
`,
`
`FI G.33B
`
`SONY_000470
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 27 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`50
`
`60
`
`71
`
`FIG. 34
`
`SONY_000471
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 28 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`-
`
`Ln
`N")
`
`u..
`
`(Q
`Ln
`N')
`
`•
`
`(!J -u..
`
`to
`CO
`
`SONY_000472
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 29 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`810
`
`:
`
`81
`
`FIG.36A ~~-J82
`/'-J
`
`83
`
`jc
`
`FI G.368
`
`F IG.36C
`
`SONY_000473
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 30 of 47
`
`145
`\
`
`5,592,332
`
`96
`~991 98 J40
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`~99
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`92
`
`FIG .37
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`140
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`FIG.38
`
`SONY_000474
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 31 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`94
`F I G.39A \
`
`FIG.39B
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`97
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`134
`
`SONY_000475
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 32 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`FIG.39C
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`-
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`131
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`131
`
`SONY_000476
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 33 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`~94
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`
`SONY_000477
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 34 of 47
`
`5,592,332
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`SONY_000478
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 35 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`~94
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`132
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`
`FIG.42A
`
`132
`
`FIG.42B
`
`SONY_000479
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 36 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`L2s
`
`F
`
`FIG.43
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`9~1 ~<,----y ---~~;.14
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`91r----------------~
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`FIG.45
`
`SONY_000480
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 37 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`FIG.46
`
`L2s
`
`FIG.47
`
`SONY_000481
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 38 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`100
`
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`100
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`
`91
`
`FIG. 50
`
`SONY_000482
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 39 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`V l13
`
`107
`
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`
`110
`
`t
`
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`
`III
`
`FIG.51
`
`SONY_000483
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 40 of 47
`
`5,592,332
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`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 41 of 47
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`SONY_000485
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 42 of 47
`
`5,592,332
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`SONY_000486
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`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
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`0
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`SONY_000487
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 44 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`I.
`
`Ldiv
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`FIG.56A
`
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`FIG.56D
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`FIG.56C
`
`90
`
`SONY_000488
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 45 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`b=O. 115mm
`a =0. 064mm
`PITCH =0. 0 80m m
`CUTTING DEPTH =0· 025mm
`CUTTING DEPTH / _
`LENGTH OF LONGER AXIS - O.
`
`I 08
`
`FIG.57A
`
`SONY_000489
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 46 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`b=0.115mm
`a =0. 064mm
`PITCH = O. 126m m
`CUTTING DEPTH;:; O. 0 947 mm
`CUTTING DEPTH / = O. 4 I I
`LENGTH OF LONGER AXIS
`
`FIG.578
`
`SONY_000490
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 1997
`
`Sheet 47 of 47
`
`5,592,332
`
`0
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`SONY_000491
`
`

`
`5,592,332
`
`1
`RENTICULAR LENS, SURFACE LIGHT
`SOURCE, AND LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY
`APPARATUS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`wherein 30° ~a1O%~ 100° and R~20%, where 810% is a
`diffusing angle range with respect to normal of the one
`surface in the case that when light is entered from the
`opposite surface or one surface and transmitted from the one
`surface or opposite surface, the intensity of the light trans(cid:173)
`mitted is equal to or more than 10% of the intensity of the
`light transmitted in a peak direction of a main lobe; and R
`is the ratio of side lobes to main lobe.
`According to the present invention, the intensity of side
`lobes which causes light loss and light stray (light noise) can
`be remarkably reduced. In addition, light can be equally and
`isotopically focused in a predetermined diffusing angle
`range (30° ~ 810% ~ 100°).
`Thus, when the lenticular lens according to the present
`invention is used as a surface light source, bright surface
`light can be obtained without the need to increase the power
`consumption and heat generation. In addition, the light
`diffusing angle range and the equality and isotopic charac(cid:173)
`teristics of light intensity thereof is almost the same as those
`20 of the related art references.
`These and other objects, features and advantages of the
`present invention will become more apparent in light ofthe
`following detailed description of a best mode embodiment
`thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a lenticular lens having a
`large number of lens elements defined so that their ridges are
`aligned in parallel with each other. The present invention
`also relates to a surface light source having the lenticular
`lens, and a liquid crystal display apparatus having the
`surface, light source as a back-light thereof.
`2. Information of the Related Art
`As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication
`No. 2-284102 and 63-318003, and Japanese Utility Model
`Laid-Open Publication No. 3-92601, and the like, liquid
`crystal display apparatuses having a back-light type diffus(cid:173)
`ing surface light source or edge-light type diffusing surface
`light source are known. Such surface light sources have·a
`lenticular lens formed of a large number of triangular prism
`shaped lens elements which are defined in such a way that
`their edges are aligned in parallel. The lenticular lens equally
`and isotopically diffuses emitted light in a desired angle 25
`range.
`When a lenticular lens is used along with a delustered
`transparent diffusing plate (delustered transparent sheet),
`light energy of the light source is more sharply distributed in
`a predetermined angle range than when the delustered
`transparent diffusing plate is used alone. In addition, the
`light is equally and isotopically diffused in the predeter(cid:173)
`mined angle range.
`However, since the vertical angles 0; of the lens elements 35
`of the lenticular lenses are 60° or 90°, a part of rays of light
`deviate from the predetermined angle range. In other words,
`side lobes take place in an angle distribution of the intensity
`of transmitted light.
`Thus, such lenticular lenses are not suitable for liquid 40
`crystal display apparatuses. Although the lenticular lenses
`have an advantage of low power consumption, they display
`clear images especially in color with difficulty.
`If the output of the light source were increased so as to
`solve such a problem, the temperature of the liquid crystal
`device would adversely rise. The light which leaks out of the
`predetermined angle range would become noise (stray light),
`which would disturb the viewing of the user.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment
`30 of a lenticular lens according to a first invention;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a second embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the lenticular lens according to the first invention;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a vertical
`angle of lens elements of the lenticular lens according to an
`embodiment of the first invention;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a vertical
`angle of lens elements of the lenticular lens according to an
`embodiment of the first invention;
`FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a diffusing
`angle;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the intensity
`of transmitted light li(8);
`FIG. 7 A is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer;
`FIG. 7B is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer;
`FIG. 8A is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer;
`FIG. 8B is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer;
`FIG. 9A is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer;
`FIG. 9B is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer;
`FIG. lOA is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer;
`FIG. lOB is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer;
`FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a measurement
`result of transmitted light (for a lenticular lens with a vertical
`angle of 90°);
`FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a measurement
`result of transmitted light (for a light isotopic diffusing
`layer);
`
`45
`
`50
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`An object of the present invention is to provide a lenticu-
`lar lens for equally focusing light in a predetermined angle
`range without the need to increase power consumption and
`heat generation so as to emit bright surface light. Another 55
`object of the present invention is to provide a surface light
`source having the lenticular lens, and a liquid crystal display
`apparatus having the surface light source.
`According to the present invention, there is provided a
`lenticular lens, comprising:
`a light transmitting substrate having one surface and
`opposite surface; and
`a plurality of lens elements elongated on the one surface
`of said light transmitting substrate, having concave or con- 65
`vex shaped cross-sections, and defined in such a way that
`ridges thereof are aligned in parallel with each other,
`
`60
`
`SONY_000492
`
`

`
`5,592,332
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`3
`FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a measurement
`result of transmitted light (for a composition of a lenticular
`lens with a vertical angle of 90° and a light isotopic diffusing
`layer);
`FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a measurement
`result of transmitted light (for a composition of a lenticular
`lens with a vertical angle of 100° and a light isotopic
`diffusing layer);
`FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a measurement
`result of transmitted light (for a composition of a lenticular
`lens with a vertical angle of 11 0° and a light isotopic
`diffusing layer);
`FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a measurement
`result of transmitted light (for an incident angle of 63°);
`FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a measurement 15
`result of transmitted light (for an incident angle of 30°);
`FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of
`a light source (back-light type) according to the first inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIG. 19A is a schematic diagram for explaining the
`intensity of transmitted light of the embodiment of FIG. 18;
`FIG. 19B is a schematic diagram for explaining the
`intensity of transmitted light of the embodiment of FIG. 18;
`FIG. 19C is a schematic diagram for explaining the
`intensity of transmitted light of the embodiment of FIG. 18;
`FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment
`( edge-light type) of the light source according to the first
`invention;
`FIG. 20A is a detailed drawing of the lenticular lens of the
`light source of FIG. 20;
`FIG. 21A is a sectional view for explaining the charac(cid:173)
`teristics of a light guiding plate;
`FIG. 21B is a sectional view for explaining the charac(cid:173)
`teristics of a light guiding plate;
`FIG. 21C is a sectional view for explaining the charac(cid:173)
`teristics of a light guiding plate;
`FIG. 21D is a sectional view for explaining the charac(cid:173)
`teristics of a light guiding plate;
`FIG. 22A is a schematic diagram for explaining the
`intensity of transmitted light of the embodiment of FIG. 20;
`FIG. 22B is a schematic diagram for explaining the
`intensity of transmitted light of the embodiment of FIG. 20;
`FIG. 22C is a schematic diagram for explaining the
`intensity of transmitted light of the embodiment of FIG. 20;
`FIG. 23A is a sectional view showing an embodiment of
`a light reflecting layer for use with the edge-light type
`surface light source;
`FIG. 23B is a sectional view showing an embodiment of
`a light reflecting layer for use with the edge-light type
`surface light source;
`FIG. 23C is a sectional view showing an embodiment of
`a light reflecting layer for use with the edge-light type
`surface light source;
`FIG. 23D is a sectional view showing an embodiment of
`a light reflecting layer for use with the edge-light type
`surface light source;
`FIG. 23E is a sectional view showing an embodiment of
`a light reflecting layer for use with the edge-light type
`surface light source;
`FIG. 24A is a perspective view showing a first embodi(cid:173)
`ment of a lenticular lens according to a second invention;
`FIG. 24B is a perspective view showing a first embodi(cid:173)
`ment of a lenticular lens according to a second invention;
`
`4
`FIG. 25 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment
`of the lenticular lens according to the second invention;
`FIG. 26A is a sectional view showing the shape of
`concave lens elements of the lenticular lens according to an
`5 embodiment of the second invention;
`FIG. 26B is a sectional view showing the shape of
`concave lens elements of the lenticular lens according to an
`embodiment of the second invention;
`FIG. 26C is a sectional view showing the shape of
`10 concave lens elements of the lenticular lens according to an
`embodiment of the second invention;
`FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing optical paths of
`rays of light transmitted through a lenticular lens according
`to an embodiment of the second invention;
`FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing optical paths of
`rays of light transmitted through a lenticular lens according
`to an embodiment of the second invention;
`FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing optical paths of
`rays of light transmitted through a lenticular lens according
`to an embodiment of the second invention;
`FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing optical paths of
`rays of light transmitted through a lenticular lens according
`to an embodiment of the second invention;
`FIG. 31 is a graph showing transmission characteristics of
`the lenticular lens according to the second invention;
`FIG. 32A is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer according
`to an embodiment of the second invention;
`FIG. 32B is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer according
`to an embodiment of the second invention;
`FIG. 33A is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer according
`to an embodiment of the second invention;
`FIG. 33B is a sectional view showing a composition of a
`lenticular lens and a light isotopic diffusing layer according
`to an embodiment of the second invention;
`FIG. 34 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment
`40 (back-light type) of a surface light source according to the
`second invention;
`FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view showing a
`second embodiment (edge-light type) of the surface light
`source according to the second invention;
`FIG. 35A is a detailed drawing of the isotopic diffusing
`layer of the surface light source of FIG. 35;
`FIG. 35B is a detailed drawing of the lenticular lens of the
`surface light source of FIG. 35.
`FIG. 36A is a sectional view for explaining characteristics
`of the light guiding plate of FIG. 25;
`FIG. 36B is a sectional view for explaining characteristics
`of the light guiding plate of FIG. 25;
`FIG. 36C is a sectional view for explaining characteristics
`55 of the light guiding plate of FIG. 25;
`FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of
`an edge-light type surface light source and a transmission
`type display apparatus having the surface light source
`according to a third invention;
`FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of
`a back-light type surface light source and a transmission
`type display apparatus having the surface light source
`according to the third invention;
`FIG. 39A is a perspective view showing an embodiment
`(convex elliptic cylinder lenticular lens) of a lens sheet
`according to the third invention;
`
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`6
`FIG. 50 is a sectional view for explaining that part of rays
`of light which outwardly travels from a light guiding plate
`is totally reflected by a lens sheet according to the third
`invention and that the rest of the rays oflight are transmitted;
`FIG. 51 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of
`a fabrication method according to the third embodiment;
`FIG. 52 is a graph showing the characteristics of a second
`embodiment of the edge-light type surface light source
`according to the third invention, the graph illustrating an
`angle distribution of the intensity of emitted light of a
`convex elliptic cylinder lenticular lens whose longer axis
`accords with a normal direction thereof;
`FIG. 53 is a graph showing the characteristics of an
`edge-light type surface light source according to a first
`comparison example, the graph illustrating an angle distri(cid:173)
`bution of the intensity of emitted light of a triangular
`cylinder lenticular lens;
`FIG. 54 is a graph showing the characteristics of an
`edge-light type surface light source according to a second
`comparison example, the graph illustrating an angle distri(cid:173)
`bution of the intensity of emitted light of a convex elliptic
`cylinder lenticular lens whose shorter axis accords with a
`normal direction thereof;
`FIG. 55 is a graph showing the characteristics of an
`edge-light type surface light source according to a third
`comparison example, the graph illustrating an angle distri(cid:173)
`bution of the intensity of emitted light of the surface light
`source, the surface light source having two light diffusing
`layers (films) layered over a light guiding plate;
`FIG. 56A and FIG. 56C are a schematic diagram showing
`the position of total reflection critical point Pc and optical
`paths of rays of light of a lenticular lens according to the
`fourth invention and a characteristic graph relating to FIG.
`35 56A, respectively;
`FIG. 56B and FIG. 56D are a schematic diagram showing
`the optical paths of rays of light of a lenticular lens with a
`large cutting depth D and a total reflection critical point Pc
`and a characteristic graph relating to FIG. 56B, respectively;
`FIG. 57 A is a schematic diagram showing the optical
`paths of diffused rays of light entered into a lenticular lens
`according to the fourth invention;
`FIG. 57B is a schematic diagram showing the optical
`45 paths of diffused rays of light entered into a lenticular lens
`with a large cutting depth D and a total reflection critical
`point Pc; and
`.
`FIG. 58 is a graph showing the characteristics of an
`edge-light type surface light source according to a fourth
`comparison example, two delustered transparent sheets
`being disposed on a light emitting surface of a light guiding
`plate.
`
`5
`FIG. 39B is a perspective view showing an embodiment
`(concave elliptic cylinder lenticular lens) of the lens sheet
`according to the third invention;
`FIG. 39C is a perspective view showing an embodiment
`(convex elliptic cylinder lenticular lens) of the lens sheet 5
`according to the third invention;
`FIG. 39D is a perspective view showing an embodiment
`(concave elliptic cylinder lenticular lens) of the lens sheet
`according to the third invention;
`FIG. 40A is a sectional view for explaining optical paths 10
`in a lens sheet, particularly, a spherical aberration of a
`convex perfect cylinder lens element according to the third
`invention;
`FIG. 40B is a sectional view for explaining optical paths,
`in a lens sheet, particularly, a spherical aberration of a 15
`convex elliptic cylinder lens element according to the third
`invention;
`FIG. 41A is a sectional view for explaining optical paths
`in a lens sheet, particularly, a spherical aberration of a
`concave perfect cylinder lens element according to the third 20
`invention;
`FIG. 41B is a sectional view for explaining optical paths,
`in a lens sheet, particularly, a spherical aberration of a
`concave elliptic cylinder lens element according to the third
`invention;
`FIG. 42A is a perspective view showing another embodi(cid:173)
`ment o