Light-emitting Device Segmentation for Lambertian Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light-emitting devices with phosphor-converted electroluminescent (pcLEDs) suffer from inefficiencies due to radiationless absorption and backscattering effects in the phosphor material, resulting in a non-Lambertian light distribution and significant color changes with viewing angle.

Innovation Solution

A light-emitting device design that separates primary radiation into two parts, where one part enters a light-scattering element to generate a Lambertian distribution and the other part enters a conversion element for partial conversion, avoiding radiationless absorption by bypassing the conversion element, and using a lens for desired light deflection and focusing, along with a ceramic conversion element and light-scattering particles to enhance efficiency and color adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the LED is completely enveloped by the phosphor layer to achieve homogeneous color mixing, then color homogeneity is improved, but radiationless absorption losses increase and luminous efficacy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor homogeneityVSAvoidluminous efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light path by dividing the optical system into two distinct channels: (1) primary radiation that passes through the phosphor layer without conversion to achieve Lambertian distribution, and (2) primary radiation that is converted to secondary radiation for color mixing. This segmentation allows each channel to optimize its function independently, reducing overall energy loss while maintaining color homogeneity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts a portion of the primary radiation (first part) from the conversion path and directs it through the phosphor layer without absorption. This extracted component provides the Lambertian distribution and unconverted blue light needed for color balance, eliminating the radiationless absorption losses that would occur if all primary radiation passed through the phosphor material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If a phosphor powder layer is used for light conversion, then manufacturing ease is improved, but intrinsic scattering power increases causing backscattering effects and reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidefficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dedicated light-scattering element as an intermediary component with controlled scattering properties. This separate scattering element has optimized particle size and distribution to provide the desired Lambertian distribution without the excessive intrinsic scattering and backscattering effects of conventional phosphor powder layers, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the primary radiation passes through the phosphor layer for conversion, then color conversion is achieved, but radiationless absorption processes occur reducing overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor conversion capabilityVSAvoidconversion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the primary radiation into two parts: a first part that bypasses the phosphor layer to avoid absorption losses and provides Lambertian distribution, and a second part that undergoes conversion for color adjustment. This segmentation ensures that only the necessary portion of primary radiation undergoes conversion, minimizing radiationless absorption while maintaining color versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the optical parameters by allowing unconverted primary radiation to contribute to the final light output. By adjusting the ratio of converted to unconverted light and optimizing the scattering properties, the system achieves desired color points with higher overall efficiency, as unconverted blue light has higher luminous efficacy than converted yellow light.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Illumination intensity

If light-scattering particles are added to achieve Lambertian distribution, then light distribution is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLambertian distribution qualityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light-scattering function with the existing optical path by positioning the light-scattering element in the light path where it simultaneously provides Lambertian distribution for both converted and unconverted light. This integrated approach achieves the desired illumination pattern without requiring separate complex scattering mechanisms for different light paths, thereby improving distribution quality while limiting complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution achieves improved luminous efficacy and a stable Lambertian light distribution with reduced radiation losses and enhanced miscibility of primary and secondary radiation, allowing for precise color adjustment and increased effectiveness compared to traditional pcLEDs.

Implementation Method 1

the light-scattering element is provided to generate a mixed radiation having a Lambertian light distribution from the first part of the primary radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

the LED emits a primary radiation, at least a part of which is absorbed by a phosphor layer (conversion element) arranged on the LED, and is re-emitted as longer-wave secondary radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight conversion: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 3

the light-emitting device further comprises a lens, which encloses the solid-state light source, the conversion element and the light-scattering element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction and focusing: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP1979954B1Light-emitting device
Publication Date: 2015.03.18 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP1979954B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1979954B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1979954B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A light-emitting device comprising a solid-state light source (3), at least one conversion element (4) and a light- scattering element (6), wherein the solid-state light source (3) is provided to emit a first part (511) of a primary radiation for entry into the light- scattering element (6) and a second part (512) of a primary radiation for entry into the conversion element (4) for at least partial conversion into at least one secondary radiation (521, 522), the light- scattering element (6) is provided to generate a mixed radiation (5) having a Lambertian light distribution pattern from the first part (511) of the primary radiation, the secondary radiation (521, 522) and a portion of the second part (512) of the primary radiation that has not been converted in the conversion element (4), and the first part (511) of the primary radiation leaves the light-emitting device without having passed the conversion element (4).