# US 11,906,772 B2 · Backlight module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,772 B2 - Document ID: US11906772B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/040,543 - Filed: 2021-08-06 - Published: 2023-09-28 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2020-08-18 - Assignees: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC - Applicants: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC - Inventors: Nalini Kanth Kurumaddali - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906772B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/0021: {for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses} - G02B 6/0065: {Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects} - G02B 6/0068: {Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources} - G02B 6/0091: {of the light source relative to the light guide (G02B6/0021 takes precedence)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract Examples are disclosed that relate to backlight modules, displays including a backlight module, and methods for assembling a backlight module. In one example, a backlight module for a display comprises light sources affixed to a printed circuit and a light guide plate. An adhesive affixes the printed circuit to the light guide plate. The light guide plate comprises a body and a plurality of projections extending from the body, with the plurality of projections retaining two or more of the light sources between the projections and the body of the light guide plate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A backlight module for a display, the backlight module comprising: a light guide plate; a plurality of light sources affixed to a printed circuit; and an adhesive affixing the printed circuit to the light guide plate, wherein the light guide plate comprises a body and a plurality of projections extending from the body, each of the plurality of projections comprising an extension portion that extends from the body of the light guide plate, and each of the plurality of projections comprising a first retention surface and a second retention surface, the two retention surfaces retaining two light sources of the plurality of light sources between the projection and the body of the light guide plate, respectively; wherein the second retention surface extends from an end of the extension portion in a direction opposite to the first retention surface, the first retention surface retaining a first light source of the plurality of light sources between the first retention surface and an end face of the body of the light guide plate and the second retention surface retaining a different second light source of the plurality of light sources between the second retention surface and the end face of the body of the light guide plate; and wherein the first retention surface and the second retention surface each defines a gap between said first and second retention surfaces and a first side of each of the respective first and second light sources. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The backlight module of claim 1, wherein the light guide plate and the plurality of projections are molded as a unitary structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The backlight module of claim 1, wherein each of the extension portions extends from the body of the light guide plate between two adjacent light sources of the plurality of light sources. ### Claim 4 The backlight module of 3, wherein each of the extension portions extends perpendicularly from the end face of the body of the light guide plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The backlight module of claim 4, wherein the first retention surface is positioned adjacent to the first side of the first light source that is opposite to a second side of the light source, wherein the second side is adjacent to the end face of the body of the light guide plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The backlight module of claim 1, wherein the first retention surface and the second retention surface are perpendicular to the extension portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The backlight module of claim 1, wherein each light source of the plurality of light sources is retained by one or two projections of the plurality of projections. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The backlight module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of projections are evenly spaced across the light guide plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The backlight module of claim 1, wherein one or more light sources of the plurality of light sources are not retained by any projection of the plurality of projections. ### Claim 10 A method of assembling a backlight module, the method comprising: providing a plurality of light sources affixed to a printed circuit; providing a light guide plate comprising a body and a plurality of projections extending from the body, each projection of the plurality of projections comprising an extension portion that extends from the body of the light guide plate, and each projection of the plurality of projections comprising a first retention surface and a second retention surface, wherein the second retention surface extends from an end of the extension portion in a direction opposite to the first retention surface; and affixing the printed circuit to the light guide plate such that, for each of the plurality of projections, the two retention surfaces retain two of the plurality of light sources between the projection and an end face of the body of the light guide plate, respectively, wherein the first retention surface and the second retention surface each defines a gap between said first and second retention surfaces and a first side of each of the respective first and second light sources. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising molding the light guide plate and the plurality of projections as a unitary structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein each of the extension portions extends from the body of the light guide plate between two adjacent light sources of the plurality of light sources. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein each of the extension portions extends perpendicularly from the end face of the body of the light guide plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein each light source of the plurality of light sources is retained by one or two projections of the plurality of projections. ### Claim 15 A display, comprising: a backlight module that comprises: a light guide plate; a plurality of light sources affixed to a printed circuit; and an adhesive affixing the printed circuit to the light guide plate, wherein the light guide plate comprises a body and a plurality of projections extending from the body, each of the plurality of projections comprising an extension portion that extends from the body of the light guide plate, and each of the plurality of projections comprising a first retention surface and a second retention surface, the two retention surfaces retaining two or more of the plurality of light sources between the projection and the body of the light guide plate, respectively; wherein the second retention surface extends from an end of the extension portion in a direction opposite to the first retention surface, the first retention surface retaining a first light source of the plurality of light sources between the first retention surface and an end face of the body of the light guide plate and the second retention surface retaining a different second light source of the plurality of light sources between the second retention surface and the end face of the body of the light guide plate, wherein the first retention surface and the second retention surface each defines a gap between said first and second retention surfaces and a first side of each of the respective first and second light sources; and a liquid crystal cell adjacent to the backlight module. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The backlight module of claim 1, wherein the gap is a rear gap, and wherein a second side of each of the first and second light sources defines a front gap between said second side and the end face of the body of the light guide plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The backlight module of claim 16, wherein the front gap is 0.2 mm or less. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The display of claim 15, wherein the gap is a rear gap, and wherein a second side of each of the first and second light sources defines a front gap between said second side and the end face of the body of the light guide plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The display of claim 18, wherein the front gap is 0.2 mm or less. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The display of claim 15, wherein the light guide plate and the plurality of projections are molded as a unitary structure.