Translucent Light Mixing Element for Laser Diode Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light emitting devices with phosphor layers face challenges in thermal management, particularly when the phosphor layer area is reduced, leading to increased heating power per unit area and the risk of temperature quenching, which decreases emission intensity.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting device with a translucent light mixing element having thermal conductivity exceeding 10 W/mK, made from materials like sapphire or aluminum oxynitride, is used to dissipate heat generated by the phosphor layer, allowing for higher power density without temperature quenching, and featuring reflective coatings to guide light efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the area of the phosphor layer is reduced to decrease device size, then the device size is reduced, but the heating power per unit area increases causing temperature quenching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the light mixing element from conventional low thermal conductivity materials to materials with thermal conductivity exceeding 10 W/mK. This parameter change enables efficient heat dissipation from the color converting element, allowing reduced phosphor layer area without causing temperature quenching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light mixing element as an intermediary component between the laser diode and the color converting element. This intermediary not only mixes the light but also serves as a thermal management pathway, conducting heat away from the color converting element to prevent temperature quenching.
2Power
If the area of the phosphor layer is reduced to increase power density, then the power density increases, but the heat dissipation capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the light mixing element to exceed 10 W/mK, enabling high power density operation while maintaining effective heat dissipation. This material parameter change resolves the contradiction between increasing power density and maintaining heat dissipation capability.
3Device complexity
If conventional low thermal conductivity materials are used for the light mixing element, then the device complexity is reduced, but the thermal management is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the light mixing element multi-functional by selecting materials that simultaneously provide light mixing capabilities and high thermal conductivity for heat dissipation. This eliminates the need for separate thermal management components, maintaining device simplicity while improving thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies materials with thermal conductivity exceeding 10 W/mK for the light mixing element, changing the thermal parameter to enable effective heat dissipation while maintaining the element's light mixing function, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
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 enables increased power density in the color converting element, reducing the risk of temperature quenching and enhancing luminance, while also allowing for a smaller device size and improved thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
The translucent light mixing element has a thermal conductivity exceeding 10 W/mK
Implementation Method 2
the color converting element is being configured to convert a part of the light of the first color to a second color
Implementation Method 3
a laser diode configured to emit light of a first color into the translucent light mixing element
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a light emitting device comprising: a substrate; a translucent light mixing element arranged on the substrate; a color converting element arranged on top of the translucent light mixing element and arranged such that light from the translucent light mixing element is coupled into the color converting element; and a laser diode configured to emit light of a first color into the translucent light mixing element; wherein the color converting element is configured to convert a part of the light of the first color to a second color, to mix light of the first color with light of the second color to generate light of a third color, and to emit light of the third color; and wherein the translucent light mixing element has a thermal conductivity exceeding 10 W/mK.