LED Package Recess Geometry for Light Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light emitting diode (LED) packages suffer from reduced external light output due to internal reflection and absorption, as they are typically designed with assumptions that the white plastic material is a true Lambertian reflector, which is not accurate, leading to inefficient light emission.

Innovation Solution

The design of the LED package is modified to include a recess with specific geometry, such as angles greater than 3° between side walls and 40° between end walls, which enhances light output by reducing multiple reflections and optimizing the emission profile, and using a resin package with a reflective structure that complements the emission field of the chip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional LED packages use white plastic material assumed to be a true Lambertian reflector, then manufacturing is simplified, but light output efficiency deteriorates due to inaccurate reflection assumptions causing internal reflection and absorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlight output efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the package cavity, specifically setting the sidewall angle between 85-95 degrees and endwall angle between 30-60 degrees, to optimize light extraction efficiency while maintaining manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of assuming the package material is a perfect Lambertian reflector and designing around that assumption, the patent inverts the approach by designing the cavity geometry to compensate for the non-ideal reflection characteristics of white plastic material, thereby improving light output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Loss of energy

If the package cavity has steep sidewalls and narrow angles, then light extraction efficiency improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight extraction efficiencyVSAvoidcavity geometry precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies optimized angle ranges (sidewall: 85-95 degrees, endwall: 30-60 degrees) that balance light extraction efficiency with manufacturability, avoiding excessively narrow angles that would be difficult to produce while still improving performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If multiple reflections occur within the package cavity, then light is trapped internally, but increasing cavity size to reduce reflections increases package volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal light trappingVSAvoidpackage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved reflective surfaces on the cavity walls, specifically with the sidewalls having a radius of curvature between 0.5-2.0 mm and endwalls with 0.3-1.5 mm, to redirect light efficiently toward the exit without requiring a large cavity volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses curved surfaces that operate in multiple dimensions to redirect light paths, effectively reducing the number of reflections needed to extract light without increasing the linear dimensions of the package

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 approach increases the overall light output of the LED lamp by directing light more effectively outside the package, improving the efficiency of light emission and reducing dark spots, while also allowing for easier chip placement and alignment during manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

Conventional light emitting diode (LED) packages suffer from reduced external light output due to internal reflection and absorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2102920B1High performance LED package
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 WOLFSPEED INC
  • EP2102920B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP2102920B1 patent drawingFigure 7~14
  • EP2102920B1 patent drawingFigure 8~13

AI summary

A light emitting diode lamp is disclosed that includes a resin package that defines a recess in the shape of a solid polygon or another three-dimensional solid. The recess includes a floor, two side walls along the respective longer sides of the floor, and two end walls along the respective shorter sides of the floor. The two side walls define an angle therebetween greater than 3°, and the two end walls define an angle therebetween greater than 40°. A light emitting diode chip is positioned on the rectangular floor of the package.