LED Arrays with Light-Altering Material for Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED arrays face challenges in providing good contrast between on and off states due to omnidirectional emissions, leading to crosstalk and light spillage, which impairs resolution and brightness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light-altering material, comprising a combination of light-reflective and light-absorbing materials, between LED chips on a submount to improve contrast and reduce optical losses, with wavelength conversion elements and modular submount configurations for enhanced illumination characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If LEDs are spaced more closely together in an LED array, then the array appears as a uniform emission area when all LEDs are activated, but contrast between on-state and off-state LEDs deteriorates due to omnidirectional emissions and crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing directional emission characteristics for different regions of the LED array. Specifically, LEDs at edge positions are configured to emit light primarily in outward directions, while central LEDs emit in all directions. This localized emission control maintains uniform appearance when all LEDs are on while preventing crosstalk and improving contrast when individual LEDs are switched off.
2Illumination intensity
If light beams are segregated to improve contrast between adjacent LEDs, then contrast improves, but non-illuminated zones appear between LEDs and aggregate brightness is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic emission control where the emission pattern of each LED is adjusted based on its position within the array and its operational state. Edge LEDs dynamically emit light primarily outward to illuminate boundary regions, while central LEDs provide omnidirectional emission. This dynamic configuration ensures continuous illumination coverage without dark zones while maintaining high contrast between active and inactive LEDs.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional LED arrays are used with omnidirectional emissions, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but crosstalk and light spillage between adjacent LEDs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the LED array into distinct functional zones based on position. Edge LEDs are segmented to provide directional outward emission, while central LEDs maintain omnidirectional emission. This segmentation approach effectively reduces crosstalk and light spillage between adjacent LEDs while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized LED components and modular assembly.
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 enhances contrast and brightness by redirecting and absorbing lateral emissions, resulting in improved illuminance and contrast ratios between activated and deactivated LED chips, addressing the limitations of conventional LED arrays.
Implementation Method 1
The light-altering material may include at least one or more of a light-reflective material and a light-absorbing material
Implementation Method 2
The light-altering material may include at least one or more of a light-reflective material and a light-absorbing material
Implementation Method 3
Individual wavelength conversion elements may be arranged on each of the first LED chip and the second LED chip
Data Source
AI summary
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), LED arrays, and related devices are disclosed. An LED device includes a first LED chip and a second LED chip mounted on a submount with a light-altering material in between. The light-altering material may include at least one of a light-reflective material and/or a light-absorbing material. Individual wavelength conversion elements may be arranged on each of the first and second LED chips. The light-altering material may improve the contrast between the first and second LED chips as well as between the individual wavelength conversion elements. LED devices may include submounts in modular configurations where LED chips may be mounted on adjacent submounts to form an LED array. Each LED chip of the LED array may be laterally separated from at least one other LED chip by a same distance and a light-altering material may be arranged around the LED array.