Integrated LED Polarization Structures for Switchable Light Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED technologies face challenges in producing high-quality light with desired emission characteristics due to inefficient light extraction and polarization control, limiting their application in various illumination scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Integration of polarization structures within LED devices, such as light-polarizing films or nanostructured features on cover structures and LED chips, to receive unpolarized light and emit polarized light, allowing for electronic switching between different polarization orientations and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional LED structures are used, then the device complexity is low, but the light emission efficiency and polarization control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the polarization structure directly with the LED chip or cover structure, integrating multiple functions (light emission and polarization control) into a single unified component. This merging approach improves light emission efficiency by eliminating the need for separate external polarization structures while maintaining manageable device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The polarization structure is designed to serve multiple purposes: it controls polarization orientation, enhances light extraction efficiency, and can be configured in various orientations (0°, 45°, 90°, etc.) to meet different application requirements. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to address both efficiency and versatility needs without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external polarization structures are used, then the polarization control is achieved, but the optical system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the polarization function from external separate components and integrates it directly into the LED structure itself. By taking the polarization capability out of the external optical system and embedding it within the LED chip or cover, the invention reduces optical system complexity and space requirements while maintaining full polarization control flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions polarization control from an external spatial arrangement to an integrated structural feature within the LED device. By embedding polarization structures in different dimensional configurations (surface patterns, layered structures, or integrated chip features), the system achieves versatile polarization control without increasing external optical complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LED chips with different polarization orientations are used, then the electronic switching between polarization orientations is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic polarization orientation switching by integrating multiple LED chips with different fixed polarization orientations (0°, 45°, 90°, etc.) into a single device. Through electronic control, the system can dynamically switch between these orientations by activating specific chips, providing adaptability without requiring mechanical moving parts or complex real-time polarization adjustment mechanisms.
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
Enhances light emission efficiency and flexibility by enabling the production of polarized light with specific orientations, simplifying optical systems and reducing the need for external polarization structures, while providing cost and space savings and faster polarization switching.
Implementation Method 1
polarization structures that are integrated within light-emitting devices and are capable of receiving unpolarized light and providing polarized light that exits the light-emitting devices
Data Source
AI summary
Solid-state lighting devices including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and more particularly polarization structures for LED devices are disclosed. Polarization structures are disclosed that are integrated within light-emitting devices and are capable of receiving unpolarized light and providing polarized light that exits the light-emitting devices. Polarization structures may be formed on or in various surfaces within light-emitting devices, such as one or more surfaces of cover structures and/or LED chips. LED packages with multiple LED chips and multiple polarization structures are also disclosed. The LED chips may be arranged to be electrically activated and deactivated independently of one another such that corresponding LED packages are capable of electronically switching between different orientations of polarized and/or unpolarized light.