LED Light Conversion Layer for Stable Color Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

The variability in peak wavelengths of blue light emitted by LED semiconductor dies during manufacturing leads to inconsistent color temperatures in white LEDs due to inefficiencies in the phosphor conversion process, resulting in differing color temperatures among mass-produced LEDs.

Innovation Solution

A light source design where a significant portion of primary blue light is either directly emitted or efficiently converted into secondary yellow light, with a high conversion factor greater than 0.9, using a structured conversion layer with varying phosphor concentrations and patterns to minimize wavelength-dependent variations, and incorporating dichromatic or absorption coatings to stabilize the color temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a phosphor conversion layer is used to convert blue light to yellow light, then white light is generated, but the color temperature varies due to wavelength-dependent conversion efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewhite light generationVSAvoidcolor temperature consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion layer is divided into multiple regions with different phosphor concentrations. The first region has a higher phosphor concentration to efficiently convert blue light to yellow light, while the second region has a lower phosphor concentration to allow some blue light to pass through. This segmentation allows the device to generate white light with stable color temperature by balancing converted and unconverted blue light components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the conversion layer are assigned different phosphor concentrations tailored to their specific functions. The first region (higher concentration) is optimized for light conversion, while the second region (lower concentration) is optimized for wavelength transmission. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to perform its function optimally, resulting in overall color temperature stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If the phosphor concentration is increased to improve conversion efficiency, then more yellow light is generated, but color temperature stability decreases due to wavelength sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight conversion efficiencyVSAvoidcolor temperature consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion layer is divided into multiple regions with different phosphor concentrations. The first region has a higher phosphor concentration to efficiently convert blue light to yellow light, while the second region has a lower phosphor concentration to allow some blue light to pass through. This segmentation allows the device to generate white light with stable color temperature by balancing converted and unconverted blue light components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The phosphor concentration parameter is varied spatially across the conversion layer. By changing the concentration from high in the first region to low in the second region, the device optimizes both conversion efficiency and color temperature stability. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high overall conversion efficiency while maintaining color consistency despite wavelength variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the conversion layer covers the entire light-emitting surface, then light conversion is maximized, but control over color temperature becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight conversion efficiencyVSAvoidcolor temperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion layer is divided into multiple regions with different phosphor concentrations. The first region has a higher phosphor concentration to efficiently convert blue light to yellow light, while the second region has a lower phosphor concentration to allow some blue light to pass through. This segmentation allows the device to generate white light with stable color temperature by balancing converted and unconverted blue light components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of complete conversion across the entire surface, the invention uses partial conversion by creating a second region with lower phosphor concentration that allows some blue light to pass through unconverted. This partial action approach provides better control over color temperature while maintaining high overall conversion efficiency in the first region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 approach ensures a stable color temperature for white LEDs by minimizing the impact of peak wavelength variations and enhancing light conversion efficiency, producing consistent color temperatures across different LEDs.

Implementation Method 1

a phosphor portion as conversion element, which is arranged above the LED emitting surface, in order to convert the pump light into yellow light by active phosphor light absorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

incorporating dichromatic or absorption coatings to stabilize the color temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDichroic reflection: Dichroic Filter

Implementation Method 3

incorporating dichromatic or absorption coatings to stabilize the color temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP1922765B1Electroluminescent device with a light conversion element
Publication Date: 2012.12.26 PHILIPS INTPROP & STANDARDS GMBH
  • EP1922765B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1922765B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1922765B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a light source to emit a mixture of primary and secondary light comprising an electroluminescent device like a light emitting diode LED or a laser, to emit the primary light into a light conversion element (3) to convert the primary light into the secondary light, where a first part of the primary light is emitted along a light path with a first conversion factor (11) for the primary light, and a second part of the primary light is emitted along a light path with a second conversion factor (12) for the primary light larger than the first conversion factor.