Flexible LED Light Source with Quantum Dot Wavelength Tuning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light sources struggle to reliably produce light at specific wavelengths, lacking the precision and efficiency needed for applications requiring uniform wavelength emission.

Innovation Solution

A light source is created using a flexible LED ring with an optical cavity filled with a clear filler and coated with quantum dots, which shifts the wavelength of light emitted by LEDs, and a protective aluminum oxide layer is applied to stabilize the quantum dot layer, ensuring consistent wavelength production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional light sources are used, then light emission is achieved, but wavelength precision and uniformity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength precisionVSAvoidwavelength uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the size, composition, and distribution of quantum dots to tune the wavelength of emitted light. By adjusting quantum dot parameters (size, material composition), the light source achieves specific wavelength precision while maintaining uniformity across the emission spectrum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining LEDs with quantum dot layers and encapsulants to create a hybrid light source system. This composite structure integrates the high-efficiency light generation of LEDs with the wavelength-selective properties of quantum dots, achieving both precision and uniformity in wavelength emission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If quantum dots are added to shift wavelength, then wavelength specificity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength specificityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the LED light source with the quantum dot wavelength-shifting layer into a single integrated device. Rather than separate components, the quantum dots are embedded within the LED structure (in the encapsulant or as a coating), combining light generation and wavelength selection in one unified component, thus improving wavelength specificity without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin film structures by applying quantum dot layers as coatings or integrating them within thin encapsulant layers of the LED. This thin-film approach maintains device compactness and simplicity while achieving the desired wavelength shifting function, avoiding bulk material complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple components are integrated for wavelength control, then wavelength stability is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-synthesizing quantum dots with controlled size and composition before integrating them into the LED structure. This pre-preparation ensures consistent wavelength-shifting properties, improving wavelength stability while simplifying the final assembly process, as the quantum dot layer can be applied as a pre-characterized functional material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enables a reliable and cost-effective light source that produces light at a specific wavelength through the interaction between LEDs and quantum dots, providing uniformity and stability in wavelength emission.

Implementation Method 1

a top surface of the optical cavity is spin-coated with a layer of quantum dots which serve to alter a wavelength of light emitted from the LEDs via the optical cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

a protective layer (e.g., aluminum oxide (AlO)) is applied to the light source to set and protect the layer of quantum dots

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical protection and stabilization:

Data Source

PatentUS10634294B1Method of making a wavelength specific light source

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 OPEN PORTAL ENTERPRISES OPE

AI summary

A light source is realized in a wall portion and a base portion forming a flexible structure, the wall portion having a plurality of inward facing LEDs, a bottom edge of the wall portion being adjacent to an edge of the wide portion. The resulting well is subsequently filled with a material to form an optical cavity, the height of the resultant optical cavity being matching a top edge of the wall portion. The top surface of the optical cavity is spin coated with a thin layer of quantum dots which serve to shift a wavelength of light emitted from the LEDs. Finally, a protective layer is applied to fix and protect the thin layer of quantum dots. Thus, a light source is realized which can reliably provide light at a specific wavelength defined by the interaction between the LEDs and quantum dots.