Electrode-Controlled Lighting Apparatus for Wear-Free Light Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting apparatuses with mechanical components like MEMS mirrors suffer from poor durability due to wear and tear, affecting their controllability and light distribution.

Innovation Solution

A lighting apparatus that uses a condenser lens with electrodes to change the focal position of light on a wavelength conversion element without mechanical components, allowing for adjustable light distribution and enhanced durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a MEMS mirror is used to control light distribution, then light distribution controllability is improved, but durability deteriorates due to mechanical wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distribution controllabilityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical MEMS mirror system with an optical field control system. Instead of physically tilting a mirror to redirect light, the invention uses a laser light source with controlled emission angles and a wavelength conversion panel to achieve light distribution control without mechanical movement, thereby eliminating wear and improving durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the mechanical MEMS mirror component from the lighting system. By eliminating this mechanical part entirely and replacing it with a solid-state laser and optical panel system, the invention resolves the durability issue caused by mechanical wear while maintaining light distribution functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical component is used for light distribution control, then light scanning capability is improved, but wear and tear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight scanning capabilityVSAvoidwear and tear

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical light scanning system with an optical field control mechanism. The laser light source emits light at controlled angles, and by adjusting the emission angle and position on the wavelength conversion panel, the system achieves scanning capability without any mechanical moving parts, thus preventing wear and tear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If electrodes are used to change focal position, then durability is improved by eliminating mechanical components, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidelectrode control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses electrodes to change the refractive index distribution within the laser light source or optical path, thereby adjusting the focal position of emitted light. By controlling electrical parameters (voltage, current) to the electrodes, the system dynamically adjusts focal position without mechanical movement, maintaining durability while managing complexity through electrical control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables flexible light distribution control and improves the durability of the lighting apparatus by eliminating mechanical wear, allowing for more precise and long-lasting light projection.

Implementation Method 1

a condenser that converges the first light onto a predetermined focal position of the wavelength conversion element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight convergence: Lens

Implementation Method 2

a wavelength conversion element that receives first light emitted from the light source and emits second light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength conversion: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of electrodes that change the focal position with a control signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Data Source

PatentUS9970621B2Lighting apparatus having electrodes that change the focal position on a wavelength conversion element, vehicle having the same and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure aims to enhance controllability of a lighting apparatus and increase durability. A lighting apparatus includes a light source; a condenser that converges first light emitted from the light source onto a predetermined focal position of a wavelength conversion element as converged light; the wavelength conversion element that receives the converged light and emits second light at an emission point; and a projection lens that projects the second light as projection light. The lighting apparatus changes the focal position of the condenser lens to change the emission point of the second light to the projection lens, thereby being capable of projecting the second light in any direction.