Light Source Unit Heat Sink Cooling and Optical Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light source units for projection applications and fiber coupling devices, such as endoscopes, face challenges in achieving high luminance due to ineffective cooling, leading to noise pollution and restricted power density, and suffer from saturation effects and inefficient heat dissipation.

Innovation Solution

A light source unit with a heat sink cooling system using high thermal conductivity materials, combined with an integrating optical element for homogeneous excitation and radiation mixing, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and extended luminescent substance lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a fan is employed for cooling the luminescent substance, then the light source unit can operate, but the cooling effectiveness is insufficient and noise level becomes undesirably high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidnoise level

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical fan cooling system with a heat sink that utilizes thermal conduction through a thermally conductive adhesive layer. This substitution eliminates the moving parts and noise associated with fans while providing more effective and silent cooling for the luminescent substance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a thermally conductive adhesive layer as an intermediary between the luminescent substance and the heat sink. This intermediary material facilitates efficient heat transfer from the luminescent substance to the heat sink, improving cooling effectiveness without requiring additional active cooling components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If transparent materials are used for the base material, then the light source unit can be constructed with transmissive components, but thermal conductivity is poor leading to restricted power density

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveluminanceVSAvoidthermal conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the base material into two distinct functional layers: a transparent luminescent substance layer for optical performance and a separate heat sink structure for thermal management. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other, enabling high luminance output with effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Illumination intensity

If the luminescent substance is excited at high power density, then high luminance can be achieved, but saturation effects occur and service life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveluminanceVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of heat generation at high power density into a beneficial outcome by implementing an efficient heat sink system. The heat sink dissipates the excess thermal energy that would otherwise cause saturation and degradation, allowing the luminescent substance to operate at high power densities continuously without compromising service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 high luminance with minimized saturation and temperature-related losses, reducing noise and extending the service life of the luminescent substance while maintaining color accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one luminescent substance is linked thermally to this heat sink... a heat sink is a device for the removal and subsequent dissipation of heat occurring to the surrounding area by means of a material having a high thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

at least a part, preferably at least 50%, of the radiation emitted by the at least one excitation radiation source, entering in an acceptance angle range of the integrating optical element, is subjected to at least one internal reflection, preferably a plurality of internal reflections, in the integrating optical element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInternal reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

In at least two of these segment regions are applied layers of different luminescent substances which emit light within a predetermined wavelength range when they are excited by excitation light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS9004701B2Light source unit and projector having such a light source unit

Publication Date: 2015.04.14 CORETRONIC CORPORATION

AI summary

A light source unit may include a cooling device; a luminescent substance; an excitation radiation source having a laser source; and an optical element arranged between the radiation source and the substance; wherein the cooling device constitutes a heat sink, wherein the substance is linked thermally to the heat sink; and wherein the optical element is designed as an integrating optical element and is coupled between the radiation source and the substance in such a manner that a part of the radiation emitted by the radiation source, entering in an acceptance angle range of the integrating optical element, is subjected to an internal reflection in the optical element before it exits the optical element and strikes the substance, and that a part of the radiation emitted by the substance enters the optical element and exits the optical element as effective radiation.