Hollow Optical Waveguide for Laser Heat Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor lasers and fluorescent materials generate heat, affecting each other's performance when close, and optical fibers, while providing flexibility, are vulnerable to bending and susceptible to high-power laser light used in vehicular headlamps.
Innovation Solution
A light source device comprising a laser element, a wavelength conversion unit with a fluorescent material, and a pipe-shaped light-shielding member forming a hollow optical waveguide, allowing laser light to propagate without directly irradiating the light-shielding member, thus reducing heat interference and using a mechanically strong material for the light-shielding member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an optical fiber is used to increase the distance between the semiconductor laser and the fluorescent material, then heat interference between them is reduced, but the optical fiber is vulnerable to bending and easily broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component to transmit laser light from the semiconductor laser to the fluorescent material. This light guide replaces the vulnerable optical fiber and serves as a mediator that achieves both heat isolation and structural durability. The light guide is designed with a hollow core that guides light through total internal reflection while being mechanically robust against bending and breaking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the light transmission medium by using a light guide with specific geometric dimensions and material properties instead of an optical fiber. The light guide has a larger diameter and different refractive index characteristics that make it resistant to bending while maintaining light transmission efficiency. This parameter change transforms the system from using a fragile optical fiber to a durable light guide structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a plastic optical fiber is used to improve bending tolerance, then it is more tolerant to bending, but it is susceptible to degradation from high-power laser light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure for the light guide, combining a hollow core with specific wall material properties. The light guide consists of a hollow cylindrical structure with walls made of materials that are both mechanically flexible (providing bending tolerance) and optically resistant (withstanding high-power laser light). This composite approach integrates the benefits of both plastic flexibility and glass-like laser resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide acts as an intermediary that transmits laser light without direct contact between the high-power laser beam and the structural support elements. The hollow core design allows light to propagate through the center while the walls provide mechanical protection, creating a mediator structure that separates the optical function from the structural function.
3Use of energy by moving object
If glass optical fiber is used for light transmission, then light transmission is achieved, but it is vulnerable to bending and easily broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the light transmission medium by using a light guide with a larger diameter and hollow core structure instead of a thin optical fiber. This parameter change increases the moment of inertia and mechanical strength while maintaining light transmission capability through total internal reflection. The light guide's dimensions are optimized to provide both optical efficiency and mechanical robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is designed as a hollow segmented structure with a core and wall separation. This segmentation allows the light to travel through the hollow core while the walls provide structural support. The separated structure enables independent optimization of optical properties (core) and mechanical properties (walls), achieving both light transmission efficiency and mechanical strength.
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 reduces heat interference between the laser and fluorescent material, enhances flexibility in light source arrangement, and prevents damage from high-power laser light, offering improved durability and performance without the need for optical fibers.
Implementation Method 1
a pipe-shaped light-shielding member 3 having a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening, defining a hollow optical waveguide 31 between the first end and the second end
Implementation Method 2
an optical member 4 configured to collimate the laser light and direct the collimated laser light to the hollow optical waveguide 31
Implementation Method 3
a wavelength conversion unit 2 includes a fluorescent material-containing member 21 containing a fluorescent material to be excited by the laser light
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device includes a light source unit comprising a laser element configured to emit laser light, and a cap hermetically sealing the laser element; a wavelength conversion unit comprising a fluorescent material-containing member containing a fluorescent material adapted to be excited by the laser light; a light-shielding member having a pipe shape and having a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening, wherein the light-shielding member defines a hollow optical waveguide between the first end and the second end, the first opening at the first end is covered by the light source unit, and the wavelength conversion unit is arranged at the second end, thereby allowing the laser light propagating through the hollow optical waveguide to reach the fluorescent material-containing member; and an optical member configured to collimate the laser light and direct collimated laser light to the hollow optical waveguide.