Light-emitting apparatus with integrated refractive member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current light-emitting apparatuses face challenges in achieving high light extraction efficiency and radiation effects while minimizing size and weight, particularly in applications like vehicle headlights and flashlights, where efficient light distribution and heat management are crucial.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a light-emitting apparatus with a wavelength converter, a reflector, and a refractive member that minimizes air layers for improved light extraction, featuring a base substrate with distinct areas for the wavelength converter and a refractive member with specific surface configurations to enhance light emission and thermal conductivity, and includes reflective layers for optimized light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional light-emitting apparatus structure is used, then the apparatus can be manufactured with standard components, but the light extraction efficiency and radiation effects are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight extraction efficiencyVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reflector and refractive member into a single integrated optical component. The reflector includes both a reflective surface and a refractive member with specific refractive index, combining reflection and refraction functions in one element. This integration improves light extraction efficiency by coordinating reflection and refraction effects while reducing the number of separate components and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structure where the refractive member is made of material with specific refractive index (1.3-1.7) that differs from both the wavelength converter and the surrounding medium. This composite approach creates optimal optical conditions for light extraction by utilizing the refractive index contrast at multiple interfaces, thereby enhancing radiation effects without requiring complex multi-component assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of moving object

If the apparatus size is reduced for portability, then weight and space are minimized, but light distribution control and heat radiation become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus sizeVSAvoidheat radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved surface geometry in the refractive member, specifically designing the outer surface with a curved profile that optimizes light distribution. The curved geometry naturally focuses and directs light rays, improving illuminance distribution control within a compact form factor. This curvature also enhances heat radiation by increasing the surface area for thermal dissipation relative to the apparatus volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If air layers are present between components, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but light extraction efficiency is reduced due to refractive index mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight extraction efficiencyVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The refractive member serves as an intermediary optical element between the wavelength converter and the external environment. By positioning the refractive member in direct contact with or very close to the wavelength converter, it acts as a mediator that optimizes light extraction at the interface. The specific refractive index of the intermediary material creates favorable optical conditions for light extraction without requiring air gaps, thereby maintaining high efficiency while simplifying assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration significantly enhances light extraction efficiency, allows for adjustable illuminance distribution, reduces the apparatus size for increased portability and design flexibility, and ensures effective heat radiation, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

a wavelength converter configured to convert a wavelength of light emitted from the light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWavelength conversion: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

a reflector configured to reflect the light having the wavelength converted in the wavelength converter and light having an unconverted wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a refractive member disposed in a light passage space between the reflector and the wavelength converter, the refractive member being configured to emit the reflected light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3021035B1Light-emitting apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP3021035B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3021035B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3021035B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments provide a light-emitting apparatus (100A) including at least one light source (110), a wavelength converter (120) configured to convert a wavelength of light emitted from the light source, a reflector (130A) configured to reflect the light having the wavelength converted in the wavelength converter and light having an unconverted wavelength, and a refractive member (140A) disposed in a light passage space between the reflector and the wavelength converter, the refractive member (140A) being configured to emit the reflected light.