Calibration Light Source Thermal Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing calibration radiation sources using standard LEDs suffer from low light output and instability due to temperature fluctuations, which cannot be quickly compensated by active temperature control, leading to undesired fluctuations in luminous intensity and radiation spectrum.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-stable calibration radiation source is achieved by using a high-power LED with a thermally insulating housing and Peltier elements for efficient heat dissipation, along with mechanical decoupling of the light exit opening from the outer housing to maintain constant luminous flux, and a PID controller for precise temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If standard LEDs are used as calibration radiation sources, then the device complexity is low, but the light output is insufficient and temperature stability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from standard LEDs to high-power LEDs, fundamentally changing the operational parameters (current, power dissipation, heat generation) to achieve higher light output. This parameter change enables the calibration source to provide sufficient luminous flux for practical use while maintaining spectral stability through active temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the thermal management function into separate components: the heat-generating LED module is thermally decoupled from the housing, and active cooling via Peltier elements is implemented. This segmentation allows independent optimization of light generation and thermal control, resolving the contradiction between high power output and temperature stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If active temperature control is implemented with standard LEDs, then temperature stability is improved, but rapid compensation for ambient temperature fluctuations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive thermal mass-based temperature stabilization with active electronic temperature control using Peltier elements and a PID controller. This substitution of mechanical/thermal regulation with electronic control enables rapid response to ambient temperature changes, achieving both high stability and fast response speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback control system where temperature is continuously monitored and the Peltier element adjustment is based on real-time temperature measurements. This feedback mechanism enables rapid compensation for ambient temperature fluctuations, resolving the contradiction between stability and response speed
3Illumination intensity
If high-power LEDs are used to increase light output, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat generation increases requiring complex thermal management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat management function from the housing structure and implements it as a separate, dedicated thermal control system using Peltier elements. This extraction allows the housing to focus on mechanical support while the specialized thermal management system handles heat dissipation, enabling high-power LED operation without compromising structural integrity or temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Peltier elements as intermediary components between the heat-generating LED and the housing. These thermoelectric coolers act as mediators that actively pump heat away from the LED, enabling the system to maintain low operating temperatures despite high power input, thus resolving the contradiction between high luminous flux and heat management
4Ease of manufacture
If the light exit opening is mechanically coupled to the housing, then manufacturing is simplified, but temperature-induced dimensional changes affect luminous flux stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light exit opening from the thermal field of the housing by implementing thermal decoupling. The opening is positioned and supported in a way that isolates it from temperature-induced dimensional changes in the housing, allowing simple manufacturing while maintaining optical stability through thermal field separation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a stable luminous flux with less than 0.1% variation over an ambient temperature range of 20°C to 30°C, ensuring high stability and longevity of the LED chip, suitable for use as a transfer standard for photometric or radiometric quantities.
Implementation Method 1
a first stamp (28) made of a highly thermally conductive material, the front end of which is glued to the underside of the circuit board (22) and the rear end to the cold side of a Peltier element (30)
Implementation Method 2
The heat sink (36) gives off its heat to the ambient air located in the rear housing section (8)
Implementation Method 3
A semiconductor chip mounted on a printed circuit board is responsible for generating the radiation of the LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a calibration radiation source comprising the following: a housing (2) having an opening (12), a carrier (22) accommodated in the housing (2), a semiconductor radiation source (18) carried by the carrier (22) and serving for generating a light beam, and an exit opening mount element (14) having a light exit opening (15), which is arranged in the region of the opening (12) and through which the light beam generated by the semiconductor radiation source (18) is emitted towards the outside from the housing (2). The exit opening mount element (14) is fixed to the carrier (22) of the semiconductor radiation source (18) in a manner decoupled from the housing (2).