Surface light source apparatus, and method and apparatus for manufacturing the same

Abstract

An apparatus for manufacturing a surface light source apparatus in which a light guide pattern portion is formed on a light guide panel includes a pattern design system to which data about a pattern to be formed on the light guide pattern is input. A control system is connected to the pattern design system and transmits a position signal matching a coordinate value of each pattern to be formed on the light guide panel. A header moving portion mechanically moves vertically and horizontally according to the position signal received from the control system. A laser system outputs a laser beam according to a pulse signal synchronized with a movement of the header moving portion. A lens portion allows a laser beam output from the laser system to pass the header moving portion and to be focused on a scanning surface of the light guide panel. A warp prevention unit prevents the light guide panel from warping due to a local heating by the laser beam. An absorption and scattering prevention unit prevents smoke generated when the light guide pattern portion is formed on the light guide panel.

1 - 8 . (Cancelled).  
   
   
       9 . A surface light source apparatus comprising: 
 a light guide panel to scatter and diffuse light at a uniform brightness in an entire area and a light guide pattern portion having a plurality of grooves having an intermittent shape; at least one light source installed at one side wall of the light guide panel and emitting light to the light guide panel; and    a reflection panel installed at a lower portion of the light guide panel, wherein the grooves having an intermittent shape of the light guide pattern portion is formed by scanning a laser beam output from a laser system via a mirror header portion onto a scanning surface of the light guide panel by time control while the mirror header portion horizontally moves on an X-axis guide rail and the X-axis guide rail vertically moves with respect to a Y-axis guide rail.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the light guide pattern portion has an discontinuous dotted-line shape parallel to a direction in which the light source is installed.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein, in the light guide pattern portion, the length of the groove gradually increases as the groove is disposed far from the light source.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein, in the light guide pattern portion, a pitch between the grooves gradually decreases as the groove is disposed  15  far from the light source.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein, in the light guide pattern portion, the length of the groove gradually increases and a pitch between the grooves gradually decreases, as the groove is disposed far from the light source.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein, in the light guide pattern portion, a width between the grooves gradually decreases as the groove is disposed far from the light source.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein, in the light guide pattern portion, the length of the groove gradually increases, a pitch between the grooves gradually decreases, and a width between the grooves gradually decreases, as the groove is disposed far from the light source.  
   
   
       16 - 26 . (Cancelled).  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein at least one groove has a cross section defining a saw tooth shape.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the saw tooth shape is generally symmetrical around a centerline generally perpendicular to a major surface of the light guide panel.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the saw tooth shape forms a plurality of vertices on each side of the centerline.  
   
   
       30 . A surface light source apparatus comprising: 
 a linear light source defining a linear path, the linear light source adapted to generate a light generally along the entire linear path;    a light guide panel configured to receive the light and scatter and diffuse the light at a uniform brightness in an entire area and a light guide pattern portion having a plurality of grooves having an intermittent shape; and    a reflection panel installed at a lower portion of the light guide panel, wherein the grooves in the light guide panel have an intermittent shape causing incident light to be generally redirected in a direction generally perpendicular to a major surface of the light guide panel.    
   
   
       31 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein at least one groove has a cross section defining a saw tooth shape.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the saw tooth shape is generally symmetrical around a centerline generally perpendicular to a major surface of the light guide panel.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the saw tooth shape forms a plurality of vertices on each side of the centerline.  
   
   
       34 . A surface light source apparatus comprising: 
 a light guide panel configured to scatter and diffuse light at a uniform brightness in an entire area and a light guide pattern portion having a plurality of grooves having an intermittent shape; at least one light source installed at one side wall of the light guide panel and emitting light to the light guide panel; and    a reflection panel installed at a lower portion of the light guide panel, wherein the grooves having an intermittent shape and a length, as measured generally parallel to the at least one light source, the length of the grooves in the light guide panel gradually increases as a distance from the at least one light source increases.    
   
   
       35 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the at least one light source is a linear light source defining a linear path, the linear light source adapted to generate a light generally along the entire linear path.