Integrated Long-Pass LED Filter Structure for Turtle-Friendly Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED lighting solutions disrupt wildlife behavior, particularly sea turtles, due to emissions below 560 nm, and existing filter solutions are bulky, expensive, and affect efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Integrated filter structures within LED packages with alternating dielectric layers to reflect wavelengths below 560 nm and transmit above 560 nm, using materials like SiO2, ZrO2, and TiO2, enhancing emission efficiency and reducing disruptive emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional LED lighting is used to provide efficient illumination, then lighting efficiency and longevity are improved, but wildlife behavior is disrupted due to emissions below 560 nm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful wavelength component (below 560 nm) from the LED emission spectrum while preserving the useful illumination wavelengths (above 560 nm). This is achieved through selective filtering that separates the harmful portion from the beneficial portion of the light output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful blue light emissions into beneficial longer wavelength light through phosphor down-conversion. The LED's high-efficiency blue emission is partially converted to amber/yellow wavelengths that provide equivalent illumination without the harmful effects on wildlife.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If external filter fixtures are added to block emissions below 560 nm, then wildlife behavior disruption is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filtering function directly into the LED package structure by integrating the long-pass filter and phosphor materials within the LED assembly itself. This eliminates the need for separate external filter fixtures and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional LED package that simultaneously provides illumination, wavelength conversion, and spectral filtering through integrated components. The filter structure serves multiple purposes: blocking harmful wavelengths, transmitting useful wavelengths, and maintaining structural integrity of the LED package.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If external filter fixtures are added to block emissions below 560 nm, then wildlife behavior disruption is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filtering function with the existing LED package components, eliminating the need for separate filter fixtures. This integration reduces part count, assembly steps, and overall manufacturing cost while achieving the same wildlife protection effect.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If filter structures are added to block emissions below 560 nm, then wildlife behavior disruption is reduced, but light transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the blocked harmful blue light into useful amber light through phosphor down-conversion. This energy conversion process transforms what would be wasted or filtered-out energy into beneficial illumination, maintaining overall light transmission efficiency while achieving spectral filtering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light through phosphor conversion, transforming high-energy blue photons into lower-energy amber photons. This parameter transformation allows the system to block harmful wavelengths while preserving energy in the form of useful visible light.
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 reduces disruptive emissions while maintaining efficiency, providing turtle-friendly lighting without additional bulky fixtures.
Implementation Method 1
the filter structure configured to be more reflective than transmissive to light below 560 nm and more transmissive than reflective to light above 560 nm
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of first dielectric layers of a first material in an alternating arrangement with a plurality of second dielectric layers of a second material
Implementation Method 3
a lumiphoric material arranged to convert at least a portion of the light of the first peak wavelength to light with a second peak wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
Solid-state lighting devices and more particularly long pass filter structures for light-emitting diodes are disclosed. LED packages are disclosed that include one or more LED chips, lumiphoric materials, and integrated filter structures for reducing emissions below certain wavelengths, for example emissions that may have adverse effects on normal wildlife behavior, such as nesting sea turtles and/or newly-hatched sea turtles. Exemplary filter structures are disclosed with specific arrangements for preferentially reflecting undesired wavelengths, such as those of the one or more LED chips, while preferentially transmitting intended wavelengths, such as wavelength-converted wavelengths from lumiphoric materials. Exemplary filter structures include various layers with various tailored optical thicknesses for light entrance, middle, and light exit portions of filter structures.