Color Conversion Element Absorbing Portion for Laser Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

The emission of laser light with high directivity from a lighting device is undesirable as it can affect the human body, especially when the phosphor layer is peeled off from the substrate without being converted into white light.

Innovation Solution

A color conversion element is designed with a phosphor layer stacked above a substrate, incorporating a reflecting layer and an absorbing portion. The absorbing portion is positioned above the substrate and covered by a joining portion, which fractures and exposes the absorbing portion when the phosphor layer is peeled off, allowing it to absorb the laser light and prevent its emission. Additionally, a temperature detecting unit monitors the substrate's temperature to control the emission of laser light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a phosphor layer is stacked above a substrate with a reflecting layer to convert laser light to white light, then white light emission is achieved, but laser light may be emitted directly to the outside without conversion if the phosphor layer is peeled off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewhite light emissionVSAvoidlaser light emission to human body
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the protective function into two segments: the phosphor layer for normal white light conversion, and a separate absorbing layer positioned at the substrate side that activates only when the phosphor layer is removed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain normal functionality while providing targeted protection against the specific hazard of laser light leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbing layer is pre-positioned below the substrate, covered by both the substrate and phosphor layer during normal operation. This preliminary placement ensures that when the phosphor layer is peeled off, the absorbing layer is already in position to immediately absorb any leaked laser light, providing automatic protection without requiring additional activation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an absorbing portion is added below the substrate to absorb leaked laser light, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaser light absorptionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the phosphor layer, acts as a barrier during normal operation, and works in conjunction with the absorbing layer to provide safety protection. The absorbing layer itself is designed to be simple in structure while providing the critical safety function, avoiding unnecessary complexity in the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration effectively reduces the emission of laser light to the outside even when the phosphor layer is peeled off, ensuring safety by absorbing the laser light and notifying any abnormalities through controlled emission cessation.

Implementation Method 1

an absorbing portion (45) which is covered with the joining portion (42) and absorbs laser light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

another portion of the laser light that does not directly shine on the phosphor particles is reflected by the reflecting layer and shines on the phosphor particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The phosphor particles convert the laser light that has reached the phosphor particles into white light and emit the white light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3508892B1Color conversion element and lighting device
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3508892B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3508892B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP3508892B1 patent drawingFigure 9

AI summary

A color conversion element (4) includes: a phosphor layer (44) that includes at least one type of phosphor (441); a reflecting layer (43) stacked on the phosphor layer (44); a substrate (41) disposed in a position opposite to the reflecting layer (43); a joining portion (42) interposed between the reflecting layer (43) and the substrate (41) for joining the reflecting layer (43) and the substrate (41); and an absorbing portion (45) disposed above a principal surface (411) of the substrate (41) closer to the joining portion (42). The absorbing portion (45) is covered with the joining portion (42) and absorbs laser light having a wavelength that excites the phosphor (441).