Illumination Light Guide Paths for Edge-Entry Optical Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminating systems face optical loss when light beams enter internal reflective prisms at the edge of the light incident surface, leading to decreased conversion efficiency due to increased energy density.
Innovation Solution
An illuminating system design featuring a light source module with sub-light source modules, each comprising a light-emitting element, wavelength conversion element, light-splitting element, reflective element, and light guide element, where the light guide element has an acute angle between its incident and exit surfaces, and the reflective element is configured to deflect light beams without causing optical loss, combined with a light homogenizing element to receive and transmit sub-illumination beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the cross-sectional area of the light beam output by the wavelength conversion element is reduced to avoid optical loss, then optical loss is avoided, but the energy density of the light beam increases, causing the conversion efficiency of the wavelength conversion element to decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide element is divided into multiple transmission paths (first transmission path and second transmission path) with different geometric configurations. The first transmission path has a larger cross-sectional area while the second has a smaller cross-sectional area, allowing light to be distributed across multiple paths rather than forcing all light through a single constrained path, thus avoiding optical loss without excessively increasing energy density in any single path.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide element are designed with different cross-sectional areas and geometric characteristics. The first transmission path region provides a larger cross-sectional area for light entry, while the second transmission path region provides a smaller cross-sectional area, creating local variations in optical properties to optimize both light transmission and energy density distribution.
2Loss of energy
If right angle internal reflective prisms are used to establish the reflective path of the light beam, then the light beam can enter without optical loss at the center, but optical loss occurs when the light beam enters at the edge of the light incident surface
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide element is segmented into multiple transmission paths with different geometric configurations. The first transmission path is designed to receive light at the center of the light incident surface, while the second transmission path is designed to receive light at the edge of the light incident surface. This segmentation allows the system to accommodate light entry from different positions without optical loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide element are designed with different geometric characteristics and reflective properties. The first transmission path region includes a first reflective surface configured to reflect light from the center entry, while the second transmission path region includes a second reflective surface configured to reflect light from the edge entry, creating local optimization for different light entry positions.
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 light utilization efficiency by preventing optical loss, thereby improving the optical performance of the illumination beam.
Implementation Method 1
The wavelength conversion element is disposed on the transmission path of the first light beam from the light-splitting element, and converts the first light beam into an excited light beam
Implementation Method 2
The reflective element is disposed on the transmission path of the excited light beam from the light-splitting element, and is configured to reflect the excited light beam to the light guide element
Implementation Method 3
The excited light beam in the light guide element is reflected by the reflective surface and exits the light guide element from the light-exiting area
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminating system includes a light source module and a light homogenizing element. The light source module includes at least one sub-light source module, and each sub-light source module includes a light-emitting element, a wavelength conversion element, a light-splitting element, a reflective element and a light guide element. The reflective element is configured to reflect the exited light beam converted by the wavelength conversion element to the light guide element. The light guide element includes a light incident surface, a reflective surface and a light exit surface. By designing the angle between the light incident surface of the light guide element and the light exit surface to be an acute angle, combined with the deflection configuration of the reflective element, the excited beam may be transmitted along different transmission paths without optical loss.