# US 2008/0186431 A1 · Liquid crystal display device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0186431 A1 - Document ID: US20080186431A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/068,090 - Filed: 2008-02-01 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-01 - Assignees: IPS Alpha Technology, Ltd.; Hitachi Displays, Ltd. - Inventors: Yoshihiro Imojo; Yoshifumi Sekiguchi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080186431A1 ## CPC - G02F 1/133615: {Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side} - G02F 1/133605: {including specially adapted reflectors} - G02F 1/133608: {including particular frames or supporting means} - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS ## Abstract The present invention provides a light-weighted backlight capable of ensuring a sufficient light quantity at a low cost. A backlight is arranged below a liquid crystal panel. A light source is arranged in the vertical direction with respect to a screen of the liquid crystal panel so that light from the light source is directed toward the liquid crystal panel by a reflector. Due to such a constitution, the reflector can also function as a back lid of the backlight. Further, the reflector plays a role of directing the light from the light source toward the liquid crystal panel and hence, a light guide plate can be omitted. Due to such a constitution, the present invention can realize the reduction of weight and cost of the backlight or the liquid crystal display panel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid crystal display device comprising: a liquid crystal panel; and a backlight arranged on a side opposite to a display screen of the liquid crystal panel, wherein the backlight includes a light source and a reflector for reflecting light radiated from the light source toward the liquid crystal panel, and the reflector has a shape thereof determined due to the fixing of the end portions of the reflector to the backlight. ### Claim 2 A liquid crystal display device comprising: a liquid crystal panel; and a backlight arranged on a side opposite to a display screen of the liquid crystal panel, wherein the backlight includes a light source and a reflector for reflecting light radiated from the light source toward the liquid crystal panel, and the reflector forms a bottom surface of the backlight. ### Claim 3 A liquid crystal display device comprising: a liquid crystal panel; and a backlight arranged on a side opposite to a display screen of the liquid crystal panel, wherein the backlight includes a light source and a reflector for reflecting light radiated from the light source toward the liquid crystal panel, the reflector has a shape thereof determined due to the fixing of the end portions of the reflector to the backlight, and the reflector forms a bottom surface of the backlight. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a reflector-shape forming member for fixing the reflector includes a groove, and the reflector is inserted into the groove. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of reflector-shape forming members for fixing the reflector are provided, and the reflector is sandwiched by the plurality of reflector-shape forming members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a groove formed in the reflector-shape forming member for fixing the reflector has a curved shape on short sides of a screen of the liquid crystal display device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector-shape forming member is configured such that an end portion of a surface of the reflector-shape forming member on a short side of a screen of the liquid crystal display device for sandwiching the reflector has a curved shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the reflector is a curved shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the reflector is a bent shape. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the reflector is a planar shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the backlight is an edge-light-type backlight. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 11, wherein the light source of the backlight is a hot cathode fluorescent lamp. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the backlight is a direct-type backlight. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a plate thickness of the reflector is 0.01 mm to 1 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 2, wherein a plate thickness of the reflector is 0.01 mm to 1 mm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein beams are formed on a back surface of the backlight. ### Claim 17 (depends on 2) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 2, wherein beams are formed on a back surface of the backlight. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 11, wherein the assembly of the back light includes a step for assembling a part group including a light source, a step for forming a main housing portion, and a step for assembling a block formed of the part group including the light source and the main housing part after the respective steps. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 11, wherein the backlight does not include a light guide plate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 2) A liquid crystal display device according to claim 2, wherein the backlight is an edge-light-type backlight having no light guide plate.