LED Array with Integral Lens System for Compact Illumination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light emitting diode (LED) devices face challenges in achieving sufficient light on target, particularly in compact applications like cell phone camera flashes, due to space constraints and inefficient light distribution.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting device with multiple LED dies mounted on a shared submount covered by a single integral lens system, where each LED die is separated by a sufficient distance to allow individual lens elements to focus light effectively, optimizing light distribution and alignment for enhanced illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If multiple LED dies are mounted close together on a common submount, then the device size is reduced, but the light distribution and focusing capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidlight on target
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The lens system is segmented into multiple individual lens elements, with each lens element positioned over a corresponding LED die. This segmentation allows each lens element to independently focus light from its associated LED die, maintaining effective light distribution even when multiple LEDs are mounted in a compact arrangement on the common submount.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If a single integral lens system with multiple lens elements is used, then light focusing and distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight on targetVSAvoidlens system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual lens elements are merged into a single integral lens system that is positioned over the common submount. This merging approach provides several advantages: it simplifies alignment (the entire lens system can be positioned as one unit), reduces the number of separate components, and maintains effective light focusing from multiple LED dies while controlling overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If lens elements are positioned close together, then the device footprint is reduced, but the ability to separate and focus individual LED light sources deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice footprintVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lens elements are arranged in a planar configuration on the lens system that corresponds to the arrangement of LED dies on the submount. This dimensional correspondence allows the lens system to be aligned with the LED array in a straightforward manner, maintaining effective focusing capability while controlling the device footprint through optimized spacing and arrangement of the lens elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration increases light efficiency by 15% to 45% compared to systems with a single lens element, enabling effective illumination in limited spaces while allowing for improved heat dissipation and increased current driving capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

each of the lens elements to focus the light emitted from the light emitting diode dies on a desired target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a number of light emitting diode dies mounted on a shared submount

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode effect: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 3

light emitting diode (LED) devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP1915568B1Apparatus comprising a plurality of light emitting diode dies and an integral lens system with a plurality of lens elements, and a method of fabricating the same
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 LUMILEDS HLDG BV
  • EP1915568B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP1915568B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~7

AI summary

A light emitting device includes a number of light emitting diode dies (LEDs) mounted on a shared submount and covered with a single lens element that includes a corresponding number of lens elements. The LEDs are separated from each other by a distance that is sufficient for lens element to include separate lens elements for each LED. The separation of the LEDs and lens elements may be configured to produce a desired amount of light on a target at a predefined distance. In one embodiment, the lens elements are approximately flat type lens elements, such as Fresnel, TIR, diflractive lens, photonic crystal type lenses, prism, or reflective lens.