Optical unit, backlight assembly having the same and display device having the same

Abstract

An optical unit includes a base, a light-condensing member disposed on the base to condense a first portion of light that is incident onto the base and protrusion members disposed on a surface of the light-condensing member to scatter a second portion of the light that is incident onto the base. A backlight assembly includes light sources, an optical unit receiving light from the light sources to condense and scatter the light, and may also include an optical member disposed over the optical unit to enhance the front luminance of the light. A display device includes light sources, an optical module and a display panel. Thus, display quality of the display device may be enhanced.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An optical unit comprising:
 a base; 
 a light-condensing member comprising a first curved slant face protruding from the base and a second curved slant face protruding from the base, the second curved slant face being slated slanted toward the first curved slant face; and 
 a plurality of protrusion members protruding from a surface of the light-condensing member such that adjacent protrusion members are spaced apart from each other to only partially cover the surface of the light-condensing member. 
 
     
     
       2. The optical unit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second curved slant faces is concave convex. 
     
     
       3. The optical unit of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second curved slant faces are connected at a rounded top portion. 
     
     
       4. The optical unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first curved slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second curved slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base. 
 
     
     
       5. The optical unit of  claim 4 , wherein the first angle is lager larger than the second angle. 
     
     
       6. The optical unit of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion. 
     
     
       7. The optical unit of  claim 6 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth faces respectively comprises a flat surface. 
     
     
       8. A backlight assembly comprising:
 a plurality of light sources configured to generate light; and  
 an optical unit to condense and diffuse the light, the optical unit comprising:
 a base; 
 a light-condens 1 ing portion comprising a first curved slant face protruding from the base and a second curved slant face protruding from the base, the second curved slant face being slated slanted toward the first curved slant face; and 
 
 a plurality of protrusion portion portions disposed on a surface of the light-condensing portion such that adjacent protrusion portions are spaced apart from each other to only partially cover the surface of the light-condensing portion. 
 
     
     
       9. The backlight assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the light sources have a first number and the optical unit receives the light from the light sources to form images of the light sources, the images having a second number that is greater than the first number. 
     
     
       10. The backlight assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the light-condensing portion is elongated along a longitudinal direction of the light source. 
     
     
       11. The backlight assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second curved slant faces are connected at a rounded top portion. 
     
     
       12. The backlight assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first curved slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second curved slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base, 
 wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle. 
 
     
     
       13. The backlight assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion. 
     
     
       14. A display device comprising:
 a plurality of light sources to generate light; 
 an optical module to condense and diffuse the light, the optical module comprising an optical unit including:
 a base; 
 a light-condensing member comprising a first curved slant face protruding from the base and a second curved slant face protruding from the base, the second curved slant face being slated slanted toward the first curved slant face; and 
 a plurality of protrusion portion portions disposed on a surface of the light-condensing portion, such that adjacent protrusion portions are spaced apart from each other to only partially cover the surface of the light-condensing portion; and  
 
 a display panel disposed over the optical module to display an image using light from the optical module. 
 
     
     
       15. The display device of  claim 14 , wherein the light sources have a first number and the optical unit receives the light from the light sources to form images of the light sources, the images having a second number that is greater than the first number. 
     
     
       16. The display device of  claim 15 , wherein the optical module further comprises an optical member configured to receive light from the optical unit to emit light having substantially uniform luminance with respect to a front direction of the base, wherein the images of the light sources are formed between the optical unit and the optical member. 
     
     
       17. The optical unit display device of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second curved slant faces are connected at a rounded top portion. 
     
     
       18. The display device of  claim 17 , wherein the first curved slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second curved slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base, 
 wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle. 
 
     
     
       19. The display device of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion. 
     
     
       20. An optical unit comprising:
 a base;   a light-condensing member comprising a first slant face protruding from the base and a second slant face protruding from the base, the second slant face being slanted toward the first slant face, wherein the first and second slant faces are connected at a rounded top portion; and   a plurality of protrusion members protruding from a surface of the light-condensing member except for the top portion of the light-condensing member.    
     
     
       21. The optical unit of claim 20, wherein at least one of the first and second slant faces is convex.  
     
     
       22. The optical unit of claim 20, wherein the rounded top portion has a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members.  
     
     
       23. The optical unit of claim 20, wherein the first slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base, and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base, and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base.    
     
     
       24. The optical unit of claim 23, wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.  
     
     
       25. The optical unit of claim 23, wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion.  
     
     
       26. The optical unit of claim 25, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth faces respectively comprise flat surfaces.  
     
     
       27. The optical unit of claim 20, wherein the light-condensing member has a surface roughness of about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers root mean square.  
     
     
       28. A backlight assembly comprising:
 a plurality of light sources configured to generate light;   an optical unit to condense and diffuse the light, the optical unit comprising:
 a base; 
 a light-condensing member comprising a first slant face protruding from the base and a second slant face protruding from the base, the second slant face being slanted toward the first slant face, wherein the first and second slant faces are connected at a rounded top portion; and 
 a protrusion member disposed on a surface of the light-condensing member except for the top portion of the light-condensing member.  
   
     
     
       29. The backlight assembly of claim 28, wherein the light sources comprise a first number of the light sources, and the optical unit is configured to receive the light from the light sources to form images of the light sources, the images comprising a second number of the images that is greater than the first number.  
     
     
       30. The backlight assembly of claim 29, wherein the light-condensing member is elongated along a longitudinal direction of the light source.  
     
     
       31. The backlight assembly of claim 28, wherein the first slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base, and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base,   wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.    
     
     
       32. The backlight assembly of claim 31, wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion.  
     
     
       33. The backlight assembly of claim 28, wherein the rounded top portion has a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members.  
     
     
       34. The backlight assembly of claim 28, wherein the light-condensing member has a surface roughness of about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers root mean square.  
     
     
       35. A display device comprising:
 a plurality of light sources for generating light;   an optical module to condense and diffuse the light, the optical module comprising an optical unit including:
 a base; 
 a light-condensing member comprising a first slant face protruding from the base and a second slant face protruding from the base, the second slant face being slanted toward the first slant face, wherein the first and second slant faces are connected at a rounded top portion; and 
 a protrusion member disposed on a surface of the light-condensing member except for the top portion of the light-condensing member; 
   a display panel disposed over the optical module to display an image using light from the optical module.    
     
     
       36. The display device of claim 35, wherein the light sources comprise a first number of the light sources, and the optical unit is configured to receive the light from the light sources to form images of the light sources, the images comprising a second number of the images that is greater than the first number.  
     
     
       37. The display device of claim 36, wherein the optical module further comprises an optical member configured to receive light from the optical unit to emit light having substantially uniform luminance with respect to a front direction of the base, wherein the images of the light sources are formed between the optical unit and the optical member.  
     
     
       38. The display device of claim 37, wherein the distance between the light source and the optical member is no more than about 9 mm.  
     
     
       39. The display device of claim 35, wherein the first slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base, and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base, and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base,   wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.    
     
     
       40. The display device of claim 39, wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion.  
     
     
       41. The display device of claim 35, wherein the rounded top portion has a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members.  
     
     
       42. The display device of claim 35, wherein the light-condensing member has a surface roughness of about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers root mean square.  
     
     
       43. An optical unit comprising:
 a base;   a light-condensing member comprising a first slant face protruding from the base and a second slant face protruding from the base, the second slant face being slanted toward the first slant face; and   a plurality of protrusion members protruding from a surface of the light-condensing member such that the light-condensing member has a surface roughness of about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers root mean square.    
     
     
       44. The optical unit of claim 43, wherein at least one of the first and second slant faces is convex.  
     
     
       45. The optical unit of claim 43, wherein the first and second slant faces are connected at a rounded top portion.  
     
     
       46. The optical unit of claim 45, wherein the light-condensing member has a rounded top portion having a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members.  
     
     
       47. The optical unit of claim 43, wherein the first slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base, and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base, and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base.    
     
     
       48. The optical unit of claim 47, wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.  
     
     
       49. The optical unit of claim 47, wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion.  
     
     
       50. The optical unit of claim 49, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth faces respectively comprise flat surfaces.  
     
     
       51. The optical unit of claim 43, wherein the protrusion member is disposed on the surface of the light-condensing member except for a top portion of the light-condensing member.  
     
     
       52. A backlight assembly comprising:
 a plurality of light sources configured to generate light;   an optical unit to condense and diffuse the light, the optical unit comprising:
 a base; 
 a light-condensing member comprising a first slant face protruding from the base and a second slant face protruding from the base, the second slant face being slanted toward the first slant face; and 
 a protrusion member disposed on a surface of the light-condensing member such that the light-condensing member has a surface roughness of about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers root mean square.  
   
     
     
       53. The backlight assembly of claim 52, wherein the light sources comprise a first number of the light sources, and the optical unit is configured to receive the light from the light sources to form images of the light sources, the images comprising a second number of the images that is greater than the first number.  
     
     
       54. The backlight assembly of claim 53, wherein the light-condensing member is elongated along a longitudinal direction of the light source.  
     
     
       55. The backlight assembly of claim 52, wherein the first and second slant faces are connected at a rounded top portion.  
     
     
       56. The backlight assembly of claim 55, wherein the first slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base, and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base, and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base,   wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.    
     
     
       57. The backlight assembly of claim 56, wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion.  
     
     
       58. The backlight assembly of claim 55, wherein the light-condensing member has a rounded top portion having a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members.  
     
     
       59. The backlight assembly of claim 52, wherein the protrusion member is disposed on the surface of the light-condensing member except for a top portion of the light-condensing member.  
     
     
       60. A display device comprising:
 a plurality of light sources to generate light;   an optical module to condense and diffuse the light, the optical module comprising an optical unit including:
 a base; 
 a light-condensing member comprising a first slant face protruding from the base and a second slant face protruding from the base, the second slant face being slanted toward the first slant face; and 
 a protrusion member disposed on a surface of the light-condensing member such that the light-condensing member has a surface roughness of about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers root mean square; 
   a display panel disposed over the optical module to display an image using light from the optical module.    
     
     
       61. The display device of claim 60, wherein the light sources comprise a first number of the light sources, and the optical unit is configured to receive the light from the light sources to form images of the light sources, the images comprising a second number of the images that is greater than the first number.  
     
     
       62. The display device of claim 61, wherein the optical module further comprises an optical member configured to receive light from the optical unit to emit light having substantially uniform luminance with respect to a front direction of the base, wherein the images of the light sources are formed between the optical unit and the optical member.  
     
     
       63. The display device of claim 62, wherein the distance between the light source and the optical member is no more than about 9 mm.  
     
     
       64. The display device of claim 60, wherein the first and second slant faces are connected at a rounded top portion.  
     
     
       65. The display device of claim 64, wherein the first slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base, and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base, and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base,   wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.    
     
     
       66. The display device of claim 65, wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion.  
     
     
       67. The display device of claim 64, wherein the light-condensing member has a rounded top portion having a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members.  
     
     
       68. The display device of claim 60, wherein the protrusion member is disposed on the surface of the light-condensing member except for a top portion of the light-condensing member.  
     
     
       69. An optical unit comprising:
 a base;   a light-condensing member comprising a first slant face protruding from the base and a second slant face protruding from the base, the second slant face being slanted toward the first slant face; and   a plurality of protrusion members protruding from a surface of the light-condensing member,   wherein the light-condensing member has a rounded top portion having a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members.    
     
     
       70. The optical unit of claim 69, wherein at least one of the first and second slant faces is convex.  
     
     
       71. The optical unit of claim 70, wherein the light-condensing member has a rounded bottom portion having a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members.  
     
     
       72. The optical unit of claim 69, wherein the first slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base, and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base, and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base.    
     
     
       73. The optical unit of claim 72, wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.  
     
     
       74. The optical unit of claim 72, wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion.  
     
     
       75. The optical unit of claim 74, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth faces respectively comprise flat surfaces.  
     
     
       76. The optical unit of claim 69, wherein the protrusion members are disposed on the surface of the light-condensing member except for a top portion of the light-condensing member.  
     
     
       77. The optical unit of claim 69, wherein the protrusion members are disposed such that the light-condensing member has a surface roughness of about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers root mean square.  
     
     
       78. A backlight assembly comprising:
 a plurality of light sources configured to generate light;   an optical unit to condense and diffuse the light, the optical unit comprising:
 a base; 
 a light-condensing member comprising a first slant face protruding from the base and a second slant face protruding from the base, the second slant face being slanted toward the first slant face; and 
 a protrusion member disposed on a surface of the light-condensing member, 
   wherein the light-condensing member has a rounded top portion having a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members.    
     
     
       79. The backlight assembly of claim 78, wherein the light sources comprise a first number of the light sources, and the optical unit is configured to receive the light from the light sources to form images of the light sources, the images comprising a second number of the images that is greater than the first number.  
     
     
       80. The backlight assembly of claim 79, wherein the light-condensing member is elongated along a longitudinal direction of the light source.  
     
     
       81. The backlight assembly of claim 79, wherein the light-condensing member has a rounded bottom portion having a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members.  
     
     
       82. The backlight assembly of claim 81, wherein the first slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base, and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base, and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base,   wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.    
     
     
       83. The backlight assembly of claim 82, wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion.  
     
     
       84. The backlight assembly of claim 78, wherein the protrusion member is disposed on the surface of the light-condensing member except for a top portion of the light-condensing member.  
     
     
       85. The backlight assembly of claim 78, wherein the protrusion member is disposed such that the light-condensing member has a surface roughness of about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers root mean square.  
     
     
       86. A display device comprising:
 a plurality of light sources to generate light;   an optical module to condense and diffuse the light, the optical module comprising an optical unit including:
 a base; 
 a light-condensing member comprising a first slant face protruding from the base and a second slant face protruding from the base, the second slant face being slanted toward the first slant face, wherein the light-condensing member has a rounded top portion having a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members; and 
 a protrusion member disposed on a surface of the light-condensing member; 
   a display panel disposed over the optical module to display an image using light from the optical module.    
     
     
       87. The display device of claim 86, wherein the light sources comprise a first number of the light sources, and the optical unit is configured to receive the light from the light sources to form images of the light sources, the images comprising a second number of the images that is greater than the first number.  
     
     
       88. The display device of claim 87, wherein the optical module further comprises an optical member configured to receive light from the optical unit to emit light having substantially uniform luminance with respect to a front direction of the base, wherein the images of the light sources are formed between the optical unit and the optical member.  
     
     
       89. The display device of claim 88, wherein the distance between the light source and the optical member is no more than about 9 mm.  
     
     
       90. The display device of claim 86, wherein the light-condensing member has a rounded bottom portion having a radius of curvature of about 0.05 times to about 0.7 times a pitch of neighboring light condensing members.  
     
     
       91. The display device of claim 90, wherein the first slant face comprises a first face protruding from the base to form a first angle with respect to the base, and a second face extending from an upper portion of the first face to form a second angle with respect to the base, and
 the second slant face comprises a third face protruding from the base toward the first face to form the first angle with respect to the base, and a fourth face extending from an upper portion of the third face to be connected to the second face, the fourth face forming the second angle with respect to the base,   wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.    
     
     
       92. The display device of claim 91, wherein the first and second faces are connected at a first rounded portion, and the third and fourth faces are connected at a second rounded portion.  
     
     
       93. The display device of claim 86, wherein the protrusion member is disposed on the surface of the light-condensing member except for a top portion of the light-condensing member.  
     
     
       94. The display device of claim 86, wherein the protrusion member is disposed such that the light-condensing member has a surface roughness of about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers root mean square.