Electrode-Free Lamp with Evacuated Stabilization Space

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting technologies face inefficiencies due to limited penetration depth of high-frequency electromagnetic fields in gas-filled lamps, leading to inadequate plasma ignition and temperature distribution, especially in electrode-free designs, which affects power coupling and heat management.

Innovation Solution

A lamp design featuring a partially enclosed discharge space with a central gas volume, where the enclosed space is evacuated to reduce heat losses and stabilize temperature, allowing for efficient microwave coupling and plasma excitation without additional moving parts, enabling high power density and reduced radiation heat loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If high-frequency electromagnetic fields are used to excite plasma in gas-filled lamps, then plasma ignition and brightness are improved, but the penetration depth of the electromagnetic field is limited, resulting in insufficient heating of the entire discharge space

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidtemperature distribution in discharge space
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reflective coating as an intermediary element on the inner wall of the discharge space. This coating reflects electromagnetic radiation back into the plasma, acting as a mediator that redistributes energy throughout the discharge space and ensures uniform heating, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving high brightness and maintaining uniform temperature distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the discharge space by applying a reflective coating with specific optical properties. This changes the radiation characteristics and heat distribution parameters within the plasma, enabling both high brightness and uniform temperature distribution to be achieved simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If higher power is coupled into the discharge space to ensure sufficient temperature, then temperature uniformity is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to increased power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective coating creates a feedback mechanism where electromagnetic radiation that would otherwise be lost is reflected back into the plasma. This feedback loop maintains temperature uniformity by continuously redistributing energy, eliminating the need for additional power input and preserving energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts what would normally be wasted radiation (a harmful loss) into a beneficial heating mechanism by using the reflective coating to redirect energy back into the discharge space. This transforms energy loss into useful heat, maintaining temperature uniformity without increasing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Stability of the object's composition

If electrode-free discharge spaces are used with chemically unstable or aggressive substituents, then chemical stability is improved, but the low penetration depth of electromagnetic fields worsens plasma ignition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidplasma ignition
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective coating serves as an intermediary that enhances electromagnetic field penetration and energy distribution within the electrode-free discharge space. This allows plasma to be effectively ignited and sustained using chemically unstable or aggressive substituents without compromising chemical stability, as the coating ensures uniform energy distribution throughout the discharge volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances temperature stability and power density within the discharge space, improving efficiency and allowing for electrodeless operation with reduced convective heat exchange, thus achieving high brightness and extended operational longevity.

Implementation Method 1

the enclosed space is evacuated to reduce heat losses and stabilize temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

excite a gas volume by supplying high-frequency electrical energy to such an extent that a luminous plasma is produced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

a luminous plasma is produced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 4

reduced convective heat exchange

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2618362B1Light emitter and method for its operation
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 KARLSRUHER INST FUR TECH
  • EP2618362B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2618362B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The body has a stabilization unit (2) for thermally stabilizing a partial surrounded space i.e. vacuum space, of a discharge space (1), where the partial surrounded space exhibits pressure that is lesser than 1/100 times of standard atmospheric pressure. The partial surrounded space is filled with material. A plasma luminescence unit is energized for performing a microwave coupling with an electrode-free discharge space. The body is made of glasses, quartz glass and/or glass ceramic. The discharge space is formed co-axial to the partial surrounded space.