LED Module Optical Inspection via Waveguide Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for LED light modules primarily assess electrical functionality, failing to detect optical errors, and existing solutions for evaluating optical function are costly and limited in diagnostic capability.
Innovation Solution
A method using optical waveguides to connect LEDs within a module, allowing one LED to serve as a light source and the other as a photodetector, with a measuring device to assess the luminous flux, and reversing the energization and measurement to identify defective modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electrical parameter measurement is used for LED diagnosis, then the diagnostic method is simple and low-cost, but optical errors cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
An optical waveguide is introduced as an intermediary component to transmit light between LEDs. The waveguide enables optical signal transmission from a driven LED to a measuring LED, allowing optical functionality detection without requiring complex external optical equipment, thus maintaining simplicity while enabling optical error detection
Solution Approach 2:
The LED modules themselves are used to generate and detect optical signals. One LED in the pair serves as the light source while the other acts as the detector, allowing the system to self-diagnose optical functionality using its own components rather than requiring separate external testing equipment
2Reliability
If optical inspection systems with photodetectors or cameras are used, then optical functionality can be evaluated, but acquisition costs are high and diagnostic options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive external optical sensors or cameras, the invention uses LEDs themselves to generate and detect optical signals. The optical waveguide transmits the light signal, creating a simplified copy of the optical path that can be measured electrically, thereby avoiding the need for costly optical inspection equipment while maintaining diagnostic capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical/optical inspection systems (photodetectors, cameras) with an electrical measurement system. By converting the optical detection function into an electrical measurement through the waveguide-transmitted light signal, the system achieves optical functionality evaluation using simpler electrical components
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 reliable and cost-effective testing of LED modules by evaluating their optical functionality, increasing error detection rates while maintaining low component costs.
Implementation Method 1
the two LEDs of a pair are optically connected to one another via an optical waveguide
Implementation Method 2
one of the two LEDs of the pair is selected and connected to at least one power source
Implementation Method 3
the physical change generated in the other of the two LEDs is measured
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4a
Figure 5~6a
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for inspecting LED modules (1) of a lighting device, said lighting device containing at least two LEDs (2-1...2-4), wherein at least one pair (2-1, 2-2; 2-3, 2-4) of LEDs of a module (1) is selected, the two LEDs of said pair are connected to each other optically, preferably via a light conductor (7-1, 7-2), one (2-2; 2-4) of the two LEDs of the pair is connected to at least one power source (11-1; 11-2) and the other (2-1; 2-3) of the two LEDs is connected to at least one electrical measurement device (12-1; 12-2), one of the two LEDs is energized with a specified current strength and the physical change generated in the other of the two LEDs is measured, and then the energizing and measuring on the two LEDs of the pair are switched and the module is identified as faulty if the value identified by the measurement device lies outside of a specifiable range in at least one measurement. In an ICT device for carrying out the method according to the invention, an ICT adapter means (5) has at least one fiber optic cable (7) for the optical connection of two LEDs (2-1, 2-2; 2-3, 2-4).