Adjustable Converter Area for Flashlight Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flashlights with laser-based light sources have a fixed and non-adjustable light cone, limiting their application and not allowing for optimal illumination over a larger area or varying light intensity.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable positioning of the converter area relative to the optics allows for focusing of the light cone, enabling increased application areas, larger light intensities, and minimizing imaging errors with a smaller luminescent surface, along with separate heat sources for improved heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a laser-based light source with a fixed converter area is used, then high luminous intensity and beam distance are achieved, but the beam angle is fixed and non-adjustable, limiting the range of applications
Solution Approach 1:
The converter area is made adjustable relative to the optics, allowing dynamic repositioning to change the beam angle. This enables the flashlight to adapt between narrow and wide beam patterns, resolving the contradiction between high intensity (narrow beam) and versatility (adjustable beam angle).
2Illumination intensity
If the converter area is made larger to increase light output, then more light is emitted, but imaging errors at the edges of the light cone increase and the light cone becomes less sharply defined
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable converter area allows optimization of the illuminated portion size. By dynamically adjusting which portion of the converter area is illuminated, the system maintains sharp light cone definition while adapting light output to application needs.
3Manufacturing precision
If the converter area is positioned closer to the optics to improve focusing, then the light cone is more concentrated, but the heat dissipation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable positioning of the converter area relative to the optics allows dynamic optimization of the thermal and optical balance. The system can adjust the distance to achieve proper focusing while maintaining adequate heat dissipation based on operating conditions.
4Device complexity
If a single integrated light source is used, then the structure is simpler, but the heat from the laser directly heats the phosphor, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented into separate components: the laser module and the converter area with phosphor layer. This spatial separation prevents direct thermal coupling, allowing the laser to excite the phosphor optically without direct thermal contact, thereby reducing energy loss through unwanted heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter area acts as an intermediary between the laser and the external environment. It converts laser light to incoherent light while being thermally managed separately, preventing direct heat transfer from the laser to the phosphor material.
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 design enhances the flashlight's versatility by allowing for homogeneous illumination near and far, generating higher luminosity, and efficiently managing heat, resulting in a more effective and adaptable light source.
Implementation Method 1
a luminescent material which, in the operating state, is irradiated by a laser such that the luminescent material emits incoherent light
Data Source
Figure 1a~1e
Figure 1f~1h
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a flashlight having an optics (1) and a light source, which consists of at least one converter area having a luminescent substance (2), which in the operating state is irradiated by a laser (3) in such a way that the luminescent substance (2) emits incoherent light that is radiated by the optical component (1) as a light cone. In order to expand the application range of such flashlights, according to the invention, a selectable positioning of the converter area with respect to the optics (1) allows a focusing or defocusing of the light cone.