Light diffusion unit, display device having the same and apparatus for manufacturing the same

A display device comprising:

• a lamp for generating a light;
• a light diffusion unit that includes a diffusion plate having a light diffusion material that diffuses the light generated from the lamp, and a protruded portion on the diffusion plate to guide the light diffusion unit so that a central portion of the diffusion plate has a convex shape, the light diffusion unit being on the lamp;
• and
• a display panel on the light diffusion unit to display an image using the light that has passed through the light diffusion unit.

A display device comprising:

• a lamp for generating a light;
• a light diffusion unit that includes a diffusion plate having a light diffusion material that diffuses the light generated from the lamp, and a first deformation preventing layer formed on a light entering surface of the diffusion plate, the first deformation preventing layer compensating a deformation of a central portion of the diffusion plate, the light diffusion unit being on the lamp;
• and
• a display panel on the light diffusion unit to display an image using the light that has passed through the light diffusion unit.

An apparatus for manufacturing a light diffusion unit, the apparatus comprising:

• an extruder that extrudes a material to form a diffusion plate;
• a convex-concave roller adjacent to an outlet of the extruder to form a plurality of protrusions on the diffusion plate;
• and
• an extending unit that extends the diffusion plate in a first direction.

A method of maintaining a diffusion plate in a display device in a flat configuration having a light entering surface and a light exiting surface forming substantially planar surfaces in the diffusion plate, the method comprising:

• providing a diffusion plate including a material deformable by at least one of heat and moisture;
• exposing the diffusion plate to at least one of heat and moisture;
• and
• providing a deformation compensation means on the diffusion plate including one of a protruded portion on an end portion of the diffusion plate enabling an increased deformation of a central portion of the diffusion plate due to gravity, a deformation preventing layer having a lower water absorption than a remaining portion of the diffusion plate, and an increased surface area on the light entering surface of the diffusion plate.