Lateral Optoelectronic Emitter-Receiver Layout for Isolated Voltage Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optoelectronic devices face challenges in achieving a compact design while requiring high voltage supplies with low power consumption and ensuring galvanic separation of low-voltage and high-voltage paths for reliable operation under varying environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

The optoelectronic device integrates emitters and receivers grown laterally adjacent to each other, allowing for efficient conversion of electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy, enabling voltage transformation without inductive elements and providing galvanic isolation, with emitters emitting light in the range of 350 nm to 1600 nm and receivers generating voltage through photodiodes, connected in parallel and series to achieve high output voltages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional optoelectronic devices use separate mounting for emitters and receivers, then alignment flexibility is improved, but device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidalignment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The emitter and receiver are merged into a single monolithic semiconductor component grown on a common substrate. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting and alignment processes, reducing device size while simplifying manufacturing through a unified growth process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a three-dimensional assembly approach (separate mounting) to a two-dimensional planar integration on a common substrate. This dimensional change enables lateral adjacent growth of emitter and receiver regions, achieving compactness without compromising manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Power

If inductive elements are used for voltage transformation, then voltage conversion capability is improved, but device complexity and magnetic interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage conversion capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electromagnetic system (inductive elements, coils, magnetic fields) with an optoelectronic system. Electromagnetic radiation serves as the intermediary to transfer energy and achieve voltage transformation without magnetic components, eliminating magnetic interference and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Electromagnetic radiation acts as an intermediary between the emitter and receiver. The emitter converts electrical energy to electromagnetic radiation, which then triggers the receiver to generate output voltage, enabling voltage transformation without direct electrical connection or magnetic fields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If low-voltage and high-voltage paths are electrically connected, then circuit simplicity is improved, but galvanic isolation and reliability under environmental variations worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit simplicityVSAvoidgalvanic isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Electromagnetic radiation serves as a non-electrical intermediary between low-voltage and high-voltage paths. The optoelectronic conversion process provides inherent galvanic isolation, allowing voltage transformation while maintaining reliability under environmental variations such as temperature changes and humidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device achieves compact size, efficient energy and voltage conversion, insensitivity to external influences, and reliable operation by eliminating optical alignment issues and magnetic interference, with the ability to transform AC to DC and vice versa, and transfer power galvanically isolated.

Implementation Method 1

an emitter (1) configured to emit electromagnetic radiation (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

The receiver (3) is configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation (2) and configured to provide at least part of an output voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 3

The photodiode may comprise a semiconductor body having at least one active or detecting region configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation generated by the emitter during operation and convert it into electrical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption of electromagnetic radiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250226637A1Optoelectronic device

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 AMS OSRAM INT GMBH

AI summary

An optoelectronic device is specified including an emitter arranged to emit electromagnetic radiation and configured to be operated with an input voltage, a receiver arranged to receive the electromagnetic radiation and configured to provide at least part of an output voltage, wherein the emitter and the receiver are grown laterally adjacent to each other.