LED Circuit Board with Waveguide Cavity for Integrated Photodiode Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED illumination systems face challenges in continuously monitoring and readjusting the light color and brightness, especially in miniaturized applications, due to the need for separate monitoring devices that cannot be used directly with LEDs, leading to infrequent adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A circuit board element with a channel-shaped waveguide cavity that integrates an LED and a light-sensitive component, such as a photodiode, allowing for direct detection and readjustment of LED light emission, enabling continuous monitoring and correction of color and brightness through PWM control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate monitoring device is used to detect LED light, then the monitoring function can be provided, but the device cannot be used directly with miniaturized circuits and requires separate devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the LED and photodiode into a single circuit board element, integrating the light source and detection function in one compact unit. This eliminates the need for separate monitoring devices and enables direct use with miniaturized circuits, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If LEDs of different colors are mixed to achieve white light, then sufficient brightness can be achieved, but the mixed color changes during the lifetime of the LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the photodiode continuously monitors the light output of the LEDs and provides signals to a control unit. The control unit adjusts the current through each LED to maintain constant color and brightness, compensating for aging effects and ensuring long-term stability.
3Illumination intensity
If the current through LEDs is modulated by PWM to control brightness, then the desired brightness can be achieved, but the color changes with temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The photodiode detects changes in light color caused by temperature variations, and the control unit responds by adjusting the PWM duty cycles of individual LEDs to compensate for color shifts, maintaining consistent color output despite temperature changes.
4Productivity
If continuous monitoring of LED light is implemented, then color and brightness can be readjusted, but the system requires integrated components that increase manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the photodiode and control circuitry directly into the circuit board element with the LED, the patent enables continuous monitoring and readjustment functions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity. The integrated design allows all components to be mounted and connected in a single manufacturing process.
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
Enables continuous and cost-effective monitoring and readjustment of LED light directly on the circuit board, facilitating miniaturization and efficient use of space, while allowing for compact design and heat dissipation, with the ability to utilize light reflection for improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
a channel-shaped waveguide cavity (11) which leads away from the LED to an integrated light-sensitive component
Implementation Method 2
at least one integrated light-sensitive component (12) for monitoring the light emission
Implementation Method 3
at least one LED (10)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a circuit board element (1) comprising a substrate (2), on which at least one dielectric layer (7) is arranged, and at least one LED (light-emitting diode) (10), wherein at least one channel-shaped waveguide cavity (11) leading away from the LED (10) is provided in the dielectric layer (7), which waveguide cavity leads to at least one integrated light-sensitive component (12), preferably a photo-diode or photocell, arranged for examining the light emission, wherein the LED (10) is preferably also arranged in a cavity (9) that is connected to the waveguide cavity (11). The invention further relates to a method for producing such a circuit board element (1).