Laser Lighting Apparatus with Adjustable Light Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low-power and high-efficiency vehicle light sources using low-wavelength beams require phosphor conversion to white beams, but this process is unreliable due to temperature and intensity issues, and results in decreased beam efficiency as converted beams are emitted in all directions, necessitating improved light distribution and radiation angle adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A lighting apparatus comprising a light source generating laser beams, a light converter with a substrate, short wavelength filter, and phosphor, and a light housing with an adjustable opening to control the light distribution of converted beams, aligning the Lambertian distribution of converted beams with the Gaussian distribution of transmitted beams to reduce color deviation and optimize beam directionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phosphor is disposed spaced apart from light source to improve reliability, then reliability is improved, but beam efficiency is decreased due to converted beams being emitted in all directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephosphor reliabilityVSAvoidbeam efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical member (light guide or reflector) as an intermediary between the phosphor and the external environment. This intermediary captures the omnidirectionally emitted converted beams and redirects them into a controlled beam direction, thereby recovering the beam efficiency that would otherwise be lost while maintaining the reliability benefit of spaced phosphor placement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the directional parameters of the converted beams by using an optical member with specific geometric features (such as reflective surfaces or light-guiding structures). This transforms the emission pattern from omnidirectional to a focused beam, improving beam efficiency without requiring the phosphor to be in direct contact with the light source

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If converted beams are emitted in all directions to improve reliability, then reliability is improved, but color deviation increases due to mismatched light distribution regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephosphor reliabilityVSAvoidcolor consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optical member acts as a mediator that not only redirects beams but also spatially filters them. By designing the optical member's geometry (such as aperture size, reflector shape, or light guide profile), it selectively transmits converted beams within a specific angular range while blocking others, thereby aligning the light distribution region with the transmitted beam region and reducing color deviation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality control by making different parts of the optical member have different properties. For example, certain regions of the reflector or light guide are designed to redirect specific angular ranges of converted beams, creating a non-uniform but controlled light distribution that matches the transmitted beam profile and minimizes color variation across the beam

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively adjusts the light distribution and radiation angle of white beams, improving reliability and efficiency by blocking non-overlapping beam regions and optimizing the beam direction, thereby reducing color deviation and enhancing the overall performance of the lighting apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a light converter disposed in a direction in which the laser beams are emitted and configured to generate converted beams excited by the laser beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3239597B1Lighting apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP3239597B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3239597B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3239597B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a lighting apparatus including: a light source configured to generate laser beams; a light converter disposed in a direction in which the laser beams are emitted and configured to generate converted beams excited by the laser beams and transmitted beams of the laser beams; and a light housing disposed in front of the light converter, having an opening along a path of beam travel, and configured to adjust a light distribution of the converted beams.