EDGE LIGHT TYPE SURFACE LIGHT-EMITTING DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an edge light type surface light-emitting device in which illumination intensity of a light-emitting face at its front surface direction is smaller than that in an oblique direction of the light-emitting face.SOLUTION: This invention relates to an edge light type surface light-emitting device comprising at least: a resin light guide plate having a square shape as seen from its top plan view; a light source arranged along at least one of the opposing end surfaces of the light guide plate; a reflection member arranged at one major plane of both major planes crossed at a substantial right angle in respect to the end surface of the light guide plate; a front surface plate arranged at the another major surface of both major surfaces crossed at a substantial right angle in respect to the end surface of the light guide plate; and a housing for supporting the light guide plate, reflection member, front surface plate and light source. The edge light type surface light-emitting device is characterized in that this device is a surface light-emitting device including the light guide plate of which the one major plane serves as a light emitting plane and the front surface plate has belt-like light shielding layers at a plane (I) facing the light guide plate and a plane (II) facing the plane (I), with a direction substantially parallel to a direction in which the light source is arranged, as a longitudinal direction.