Optical display with fluted optical plate

Abstract

A display system has a light source, a display panel and an arrangement of light management layers disposed between the light source and the display panel. The light source illuminates the display panel through the arrangement of light management layers. The arrangement of light management layers includes a fluted plate that has a front layer facing the display panel, a back layer facing the light source, and a plurality of connecting members connecting the front and back layers. In some embodiments the fluted plate includes a first light management layer, a cross member substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, the first light management layer, and an arrangement of first connecting members connecting the cross member and the first light management layer.

1 . A display system, comprising: 
 a light source;    a display panel; and    an arrangement of light management layers disposed between the light source and the display panel so that the light source illuminates the display panel through the arrangement of light management layers, the arrangement of light management layers comprising a fluted plate, the fluted plate comprising a front layer facing the display panel, a back layer facing the light source and a plurality of connecting members connecting the front and back layers.    
   
   
       2 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement of light management layers comprises at least one of a reflective polarizer layer, a diffuser layer, and a prismatic brightness enhancement layer.  
   
   
       3 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the fluted plate is formed of a diffusing material.  
   
   
       4 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one light management layer attached to the fluted plate.  
   
   
       5 . A system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one light management layer comprises at least one of a diffuser layer, a reflecting polarizer layer, and a prismatic brightness enhancing layer.  
   
   
       6 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the front and back layers comprises a first light management layer.  
   
   
       7 . A system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the first light management layer comprises at least one of a prismatic brightness enhancing layer, a diffuser layer, and a reflective polarizer layer.  
   
   
       8 . A system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the connecting members comprise first and second connecting members, the first connecting members being attached to a cross member and connecting to the front layer, the second connecting members being attached to the cross member and connecting to the back layer, the first light management layer being attached to one of the first connecting members and the second connecting members, and further comprising a second light management layer connected to the other of the first connecting members and the second connecting members.  
   
   
       9 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a controller coupled to control an image displayed by the display panel.  
   
   
       10 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the display panel comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD).  
   
   
       11 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a coolant circulator for forcing a cooling medium through flutes of the fluted plate.  
   
   
       12 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the coolant circulator is a fan and the coolant is air.  
   
   
       13 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein flutes of the fluted plate are arranged vertically to permit natural convective passage of air therethrough.  
   
   
       14 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting members comprise first connecting members attached to the front layer and second connecting members attached to the back layer, the first connecting members interlocking with the second connecting members.  
   
   
       15 . A light management unit for use between a display panel and a backlight, the light management unit having a display panel side for orienting towards the display panel and a backlight side for orienting towards the backlight, the unit comprising: 
 a fluted layer comprising a first light management layer, a cross member substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, the first light management layer and an arrangement of first connecting members integral with the cross member, the first connecting members attached to the first light management layer.    
   
   
       16 . A unit as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first light management layer comprises one of a diffuser layer, a brightness enhancing layer, and a reflective polarizer layer.  
   
   
       17 . A unit as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a second light management layer attached to the fluted layer.  
   
   
       18 . A unit as recited in  claim 17 , wherein an arrangement of second connecting members connects the second light management layer and the cross member.  
   
   
       19 . A unit as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the second light management layer is connected to the first light management layer so that the first light management layer lies between the cross member and the second light management layer.  
   
   
       20 . A unit as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first connecting members are disposed on a display panel side of the cross member and extending from the cross member, the unit further comprising second connecting members disposed on a backlight side of the cross member, the second connecting members extending from the cross member, and further comprising a second light management layer attached to the second connecting members.