Laser Light Engine With Tapered Fiber Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat management and compactness are challenges in high-power laser-based light sources, particularly those using ceramic phosphors, which limit their brightness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A light conversion system comprising luminescent bodies, a thermally conductive body with a reflective face and slit, and a waveguide element, where the luminescent bodies are in thermal contact with the conductive body and the waveguide guides light through a slit for efficient heat dissipation and high-intensity light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If ceramic phosphors are used in high-power laser-based light sources, then high brightness and efficiency can be achieved, but heat management becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
A tapered fiber optic cable is introduced as an intermediary component between the laser diode and the phosphor converter. This fiber serves as both an optical waveguide to deliver laser light and a thermal management pathway to conduct heat away from the phosphor, enabling high-power operation without excessive temperature rise
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered fiber optic cable performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an optical waveguide to transmit laser light, a thermal conductor to manage heat from the phosphor, and a structural element to enable compact integration. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between achieving high brightness and managing the resulting heat
2Power
If high-power densities are used to achieve high brightness, then illumination intensity increases, but thermal management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered fiber acts as a thermal intermediary that can handle high power densities by conducting heat away from the phosphor converter. The fiber's tapered geometry and material properties enable it to manage the thermal load associated with high-power operation while maintaining optical transmission efficiency
3Volume of moving object
If compact high-power devices are created, then device size decreases, but heat dissipation becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor converter is positioned at the tip of the tapered fiber, nesting the light conversion function within the thermal management structure. This nested arrangement enables compact integration where the fiber itself serves as both the optical transmission medium and the thermal conduction pathway, eliminating the need for separate heat sinks and cooling structures
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 achieves high brightness and efficiency with improved heat removal, allowing for compact, high-power devices suitable for applications like projection and automotive lighting.
Implementation Method 1
the waveguide element is configured to guide at least part of first light (coupled into the waveguide element via the light entrance part) to the light exit part
Implementation Method 2
the one or more luminescent bodies are configured (a) to receive via at least part of the reflector-directed part at least part of the first light (escaping from the light exit part of the waveguide element) and (b) to convert in a light conversion process at least part of the first light into luminescent material light
Implementation Method 3
the reflector-directed part is in thermal contact with at least part of the first reflective face
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a light conversion system (1000) comprising (a) one or more luminescent bodies (210), (b) a thermally conductive body (400), (c) a waveguide element (500), and (d) a light generating device (100), wherein: (A) the thermally conductive body (400) comprises a first reflective face (401), and a first slit (420) in at least part of the first reflective face (401), wherein the first slit (420) comprises a first slit opening (421); (B) the waveguide element (500) comprises a light entrance part (501) and a light exit part (502), wherein at least part of the light exit part (502) is configured in the first slit (420); wherein the waveguide element (500) is configured to guide at least part of first light (101) coupled into the waveguide element (500) via the light entrance part (501) to the light exit part (502); (C) the one or more luminescent bodies (210) comprise a reflector-directed part (211) and an optical output part (212); wherein the reflector-directed part (211) is in thermal contact with at least part of the first reflective face (401) and wherein the reflector-directed part (211) encloses at least part of the first slit opening (421); wherein the one or more luminescent bodies (210) are configured (a) to receive via at least part of the reflector-directed part (211) at least part of the first light (101) escaping from the light exit part (502) of the waveguide element (500) and (b) to convert in a light conversion process at least part of the first light (101) into luminescent material light (201), wherein at least part of the luminescent material light (201) emanates from the optical output part (212); and (D) the light generating device (100) is configured to generate the first light (101), wherein the light generating device (100) is configured upstream of the light entrance part (501) of the waveguide element (500); and wherein the light generating device (100) comprises a solid state light source.