Fiber-Delivered Dynamic Phosphor Lighting for Directional White Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light bulbs, such as Edison bulbs and other alternatives, face issues like high energy dissipation as thermal energy, frequent failures due to thermal expansion, broad and undesirable light spectra, and lack of directionality, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies like LEDs and laser diodes.
Innovation Solution
A fiber-delivered phosphor-emitted white light system utilizing gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes with a phosphor material, integrated with a fiber and packaging for efficient light delivery, enabling dynamic and directional lighting applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional light bulbs are used, then lighting function is provided, but energy dissipation as thermal energy exceeds 90%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from thermal radiation (incandescent) to electroluminescence (LED) and stimulated emission (laser diode), fundamentally changing the physical mechanism of light generation. This parameter change from thermal to electrical/optical processes eliminates the 90%+ energy loss as heat, achieving superior energy efficiency while maintaining lighting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical system (heating filament to produce light) with an electrical-optical system (electroluminescence and laser emission). This substitution eliminates the need for thermal conversion, directly converting electrical energy to optical energy with minimal losses, thereby resolving the energy dissipation contradiction.
2Reliability
If conventional light bulbs are used, then light is emitted, but thermal expansion and contraction causes frequent failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal-based incandescent system with electroluminescent LED and laser diode systems that operate at significantly lower temperatures. This substitution eliminates the thermal expansion and contraction cycles that cause filament failure, dramatically improving reliability and service life without the thermal stress problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter from thousands of degrees (incandescent filament) to much lower temperatures (LED and laser diode operation). This parameter change eliminates the thermal mechanical stress that causes frequent failures, achieving superior reliability while maintaining light emission function.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional light bulbs are used, then light is emitted in all directions, but directionality and focus are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the inherent directional emission property of laser diodes, where light is emitted in a focused beam rather than omnidirectionally. This local quality of directional emission allows precise control of light distribution and focus, enabling applications requiring strong directionality while maintaining ease of operation through natural beam confinement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the collimated beam nature of laser diode emission, which maintains a concentrated light path over distance. This curved/concentrated light propagation pattern provides inherent directionality and focus control without complex optical systems, resolving the contradiction between illumination intensity and ease of operation.
4Illumination intensity
If conventional light bulbs are used, then broad spectrum light is emitted, but much of it is not perceived by the human eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the spectral selectivity of LED and laser diode emission, which naturally emit in specific wavelength ranges corresponding to visible light perception. This local quality of spectral emission concentrates energy in the visible spectrum rather than distributing it across a broad spectrum, maximizing useful light output while minimizing energy waste in imperceptible wavelengths.
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 system provides high efficiency, long-lasting, and directionally focused white light with improved color quality and luminance, suitable for various applications including automotive lighting, LIDAR, and communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
A dynamic light system includes a laser driver and one or more laser devices for generating a laser electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
A mixture of the induced emission and a portion of the laser electromagnetic radiation produces a white light emission
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for generating fiber delivered laser-induced dynamically controlled white light emission. The apparatus includes a laser diode unit for generating a laser electromagnetic radiation with a blue emission in a range from 395 nm to 490 nm that is delivered by an optical fiber. The apparatus further includes a dynamic phosphor unit configured to receive the laser exited from the optical fiber and controllably deflect a beam focused by a first optics sub-unit to a surface spot on a phosphor plate to produce a white light emission. Additionally, and the dynamic phosphor unit includes a second optics sub-unit configured to collect the white light emission and to project to a far field. Furthermore, the apparatus includes an electronics control unit comprising a laser diode driver and a MEMS driver for respectively control the laser diode unit and the dynamic phosphor unit in mutually synchronized manner.